The section of Water Street between Bridge Street and Seaward Lane will become a one-way road as the town moves forward with sidewalk improvements in Padanaram.

Department of Public Works Director David Hickox presented updates to the Select Board on February 27. The project calls for sidewalk installation along Elm Street (between School and Prospect streets), along Bridge Street, and along Water Street.

The sidewalk improvements project is a $1.2 million project aimed at making Padanaram Village both handicap accessible and pedestrian friendly. DPW is still trying to secure $400,000 in state funding via the Complete Streets program.

The one-way lane on Water Street will lead traffic northbound from Bridge Street, and will allow for a sidewalk and five parking spaces, said Hickox. He also hopes it will ease traffic through the residential area.

The plan also includes many bump-outs around corners to increase visibility at intersections, said Hickox.

"The goal here is to get this project complete while the causeway is down, and open them up at the same time," said Hickox. He added that it makes sense to do the work while the causeway is down to limit the inconvenience to neighborhood businesses and to also take advantage of the decreased traffic.

Hickox said DPW will start the first phase of the project within the next month, which includes improving drainage and elevating the road to accommodate sidewalks.

Over the summer, the department will work with Eversource to align existing utility poles with planned sidewalks, as well as replace older structures, said Hickox. After Labor Day, DPW will start putting in the sidewalks, with the goal of completing them by spring 2018, Hickox said.