WASHINGTON — Local planners are mapping out a more connected future for Daviess County, and they want to hear from residents who walk, run, or ride.
The Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is actively seeking community input as it spearheads the development of a brand-new, comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The regional initiative is funded through a grant from the Indiana Department of Health, with additional matching funding from the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation. The primary objective is to significantly expand safe active transportation and recreational infrastructure across all parts of the county.
The upcoming master plan will serve as an official roadmap to guide future county budgeting, grant applications, and infrastructure development over the next several years. According to project coordinators, the plan’s development will center on three core pillars:
- Increasing Mobility: Creating accessible options for residents using non-motorized transportation to travel to work, retail centers, and schools.
- Identifying Key Routes: Mapping existing walkways and establishing new, cohesive trail connections across municipal lines.
- Prioritizing Capital Upgrades: Creating an actionable schedule for future infrastructure improvements, including crosswalk upgrades, sidewalk expansions, and dedicated bike lane networks.
The final initiative aligns with recent local quality-of-life studies, such as the City of Washington’s academic collaborations with Indiana University, which analyzed safety corridors connecting local neighborhoods directly to the new downtown Commons area.
Public Survey Now Open
Community feedback is considered critical to ensuring the plan addresses the actual safety concerns and daily habits of residents. To gather this data, the DCEDC has officially deployed a public community survey.
The brief online questionnaire asks participants to share their regular routes, highlight specific intersections or roads that present safety hazards, and identify areas where they would most like to see new trails or bike paths constructed.
The community survey is the first major milestone in a multi-stage development timeline. Planners and engineers will evaluate the public data through the summer months to draft localized infrastructure recommendations.
The final version of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is on track to be finalized, formally presented to county leaders, and adopted by September 2026.
How to Participate
Daviess County residents can take the online survey by visiting the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation Facebook Page, where the direct live link has been pinned. Paper copies and further information regarding the planning workshops can also be requested by contacting the DCEDC administrative office in Washington.
