Frankfort awarded $2.2 million

FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) - The city of Frankfort was recently awarded $2.2 million to improve a road that has already seen at least two tragic accidents.

"We've had one child tragically killed on that stretch of road in the past ten years," Frankfort Mayor Chris McBarnes said. "We've had another child that has been tragically injured. We can not stand for this any longer. In Frankfort, Indiana we are not going to settle for these narrow roads that have no sidewalks, that have no bike lanes."

McBarnes is talking about South Maish road where the 2.2 million dollars awarded by the Federal Highway Administration will be used to add a sidewalk, wider roadways, and the first bicycle path in the city as part of the Complete Streets Project.

Nathan Crabtree works at the YMCA located on Maish road and says they are excited for the project that will be much safer for pedestrians.

"It would be great to have better access for those individuals who may not have a vehicle to get to us," Crabtree said. "Right now, if you have to walk, you have to put yourself at risk a little bit and walk along the side of the road or ride your bike down the road that sometimes can be heavily traveled."

McBarnes said the project is going to spark Frankfort's economy as well.

"Complete Street policies statistically have not shown to only increase property values of residential home owners around that area, yes, but spark economic development because people are able to travel that road easier and we hope to do that connecting to our downtown," McBarnes said.

McBarnes said the project is set to start construction fall 2014 and said he hopes the new plans for the city to focus on improving the quality of life of residents will bring draw young professionals who are looking for a safe place to start a family.

"So we're saying, 'hey, give Frankfort a chance'. It's a new day and we're turning ourselves around and we couldn't be happier," McBarnes said.