MAKING FREEPORT A WALKABLE CITY

“We’ve made a lot of progress with our sidewalks in Freeport,” says Freeport Mayor Jodi Miller, ”but we still have a lot more to do.”

Following decades of neglect and non-compliance, the city of Freeport is starting to make some headway on making the community a ‘walkable city.’

Over the past four years the city has been aggressive in installing American Disability Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps and crosswalks.

“Essentially whenever we plan and engineer a new major street improvement, we review the ADA compliant needs of the sidewalks on that street,” explains Jodi. “If the sidewalks need compliant curb ramps, we install them. It’s important that we make our sidewalks accessible for everyone in our community.”

Jodi says the city’s aggressive street repair program is one reason why so many curb ramps have been installed. She also point to city’s aggressive dead tree removal program over the past four years that have also aided in the improvement of the city’s walkability.

“The city’s Forestry Department and ComEd have done an amazing job over the past four years in removing over 800 dead or dying trees,” explains Jodi. “Not only has that forestry work improved the safety of walkers from dead branches falling, but it’s also helping us remove old tree stumps that have heaved sidewalks up--creating trip hazards.”