Those who enjoy walking or biking along Dry Creek Road will soon see a few changes.

On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the Sedona City Council approved a construction contract in the amount of $731,565 for the Dry Creek Road Shared Use Path Improvements Project with Paul R. Peterson Construction Company Inc. The scope of work for this project includes a stabilized decomposed granite shared use path of varying width from 8 feet to 10 feet. The project also includes construc­tion of drainage improvements at certain locations throughout the project area.

Work is set to begin this month and is expected to be completed by late May.

“The path will be multi-modal, there­fore it creates a safe pathway detached from the roadway for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel along Dry Creek Road,” City Engineer Andy Dickey said after the meeting, adding that this will be the first segment of the Dry Creek Road Shared Use Path.

Over the past couple of years, staff has worked with residents in The Estates at North Slopes Homeowners Association on improving their access safety at Dry Creek Road. The project improvements will further address their safety concerns, the report states.

The contract for Dry Creek Road Shared Use Path Improvements Project includes:

■ A 10-foot-wide stabilized decom­posed granite shared-use path along the west side of the road from the Two Fences Trailhead north to Vultee Arch Road [Forest Road 152] — nearly a half-mile long. The majority of this trail will be detached from the roadway; a short section will be attached to the roadway and separated by a curb.

■ Signage along the shared-use path for safety.

■ Pet waste stations and trash receptacles.

■ Residential road crossings will be striped to delineate the crossings.

■ Retaining gabion baskets to contain fill that supports the shared use path.

■ Miscellaneous drainage improvements and culvert extensions to provide the area needed for the shared use path due to some existing culvert ends being close to the road edge.

■ Boulders will be installed along the roadway which will restrict parking along the project trail alignment.

■ A raised trail crossing will be installed at the Dry Creek Road crossing to the Vultee Arch Road. This safety feature is expected to add to other improvements in this area that have had a traffic calming effect.

“By investing in bicycle and pedestrian infrastruc­ture, the city of Sedona is showing a commitment of providing safe and convenient alternative transportation options,” a city report states. “Accessibility to active transportation infrastruc­ture encourages healthier lifestyles. In addition, this pathway will create a safe route for travel outside the roadway.”