GEORGETOWN, Ind. (WDRB) — A major sidewalk project in southern Indiana may lead to new opportunities.
The project has been in the works since 2019 and is now getting an extra push forward with $975,000 of federal funding coming from Congresswoman Erin Houchin.
"There's a ton of people that run and walk along it today, they don't have a safe path. This is gonna give them that safe path that we need them to have," said Chris Loop, Georgetown Town Council president.
The project is divided into five phases. Phase one and two are already completed. It begins around Georgetown Park and ends at the Family Dollar on State Road 64.
Phase three is currently under construction, which begins at the Family Dollar and ends at the Optimist Club.
Phase four is what the federal funds will go. It begins at the Georgetown Drive-In and goes down to the Copperfield neighborhood.
Phase five will be further west on State Road 64, ending on the edge of the town in front of Georgetown Christian Church.Â
Town leaders say expanding the path will help more kids get to Georgetown Elementary School safely, bring foot traffic to businesses and give better access to the town park.
"This just accelerates the completion of the project, so it's going to be awesome for the business community and residents to take advantage of," said Loop.
Village House Coffee is along State Road 64. Owner Chloe Phillips has been rooting for a sidewalk in front of her shop for several years.
"I've walked down this road with my son, and we had to walk on the train tracks because I was like 'get away from the road, get away from the road,'" said Phillips.
Now, she's hoping to see the project complete and is also hoping for a crosswalk in front of her store.
"I think it's a really good addition to the community for safety and just general businesses as well," she said.
Loop said they don't have an exact timeline on when phase four will begin, but are hoping for it to start by the end of this year or early 2027.
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