DAVIESS COUNTY — Daviess County officials are looking to the public for guidance as they embark on a comprehensive effort to transform the region’s walking and cycling infrastructure.
The Daviess County Economic Development Corporation has officially begun drafting a countywide bike and pedestrian master plan. The ambitious initiative is designed to identify key transit routes, bridge existing infrastructural gaps, and heavily improve regional connections for residents who choose to walk or ride bicycles throughout the county.
According to project organizers, the scope of the plan will evaluate a wide spectrum of daily transportation needs—ranging from practical pathways for commuting to work and traveling to school, to safer infrastructure for running household errands and engaging in weekend recreational activities.
The planning process is being fueled in part by a dedicated grant provided through the Indiana State Department of Health.
As first reported by the Southern Indiana Business Report, county leaders intend to use the finalized blueprint to establish clear funding and construction priorities for future infrastructure, localized safety policies, and wellness programs. Beyond mapping physical trails, the project aims to gather baseline data on how often residents currently bike or walk, exploring targeted strategies to steadily increase those numbers over the next decade.
Improving non-motorized transit options has increasingly become a point of emphasis for rural Indiana counties looking to boost economic development. By creating connected trail networks, municipalities can improve overall public health outcomes, reduce local traffic congestion, and actively attract workforce talent by improving the community’s overall quality of life.
How Residents Can Participate
To ensure the master plan reflects the genuine needs of the community, project coordinators have launched an online portal featuring an interactive map and a public opinion survey at https://engage-tswdg.com/daviess-county-bike-ped-master-plan.
Through these digital tools, residents can pinpoint exact locations where they currently encounter safety hazards, highlight high-traffic walking areas, and suggest where new bike lanes or sidewalks are most critically needed. The feedback gathered during this window will directly dictate the county’s long-term vision.
The initial public comment period is open now and will run through June 30, 2026.
Property owners, commuters, and avid cyclists can access the interactive mapping tool and complete the survey by visiting the project website. For additional information regarding the master plan’s timeline, contact the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation.
