Protecting the Public Right of Way

With the increase usage of trenchless methods to bury underground utilities in Freeport, the protection, maintenance, and repair of the city’s public right of way (generally the narrow strip of grass between the sidewalk and street) has become an increasing challenge.

“Almost anytime one our local telecommunication, fiber optic, or utility providers needs to bury lines under the public right of way, the city is supportive and works with our providers,” says Freeport Jodi Miller. “But for far too many years too many of our utility sub-contractors were not being mindful of our public right of ways--property essentially owned by the taxpayers of Freeport.”

Jodi explains the city was experiencing a considerable amount of damage to the city’s public right of ways while utility work was being completed but not being replaced or repaired by the contractor. A new construction application for companies needing access to the city’s public right of ways was developed.

“The damage to right of ways was creating a considerable amount of time and money for our own city crews to repair once private sector work was completed,” explains Jodi. “I credit City Hall staff for developing a detailed right of way usage permitting process to increase accountability, mitigate damages, and ultimately save Freeport taxpayers money.”

“I’m pleased to see we are making progress,” says Jodi.