Let me talk to you for a moment about sidewalks.

If you’ve ever pushed a stroller, walked with a loved one who uses a cane, or had to step off the sidewalk because it suddenly ended, you already know why this matters.

That’s why I’m proud to share that Dumfries has received a $240,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help us plan safer, more accessible sidewalks across our town.

This grant isn’t about paperwork.

It’s about people.

What this grant really does

Before you fix a problem, you have to understand it.

This federal funding gives us the ability to take a hard, honest look at our sidewalks—where they work, where they don’t, and where people feel unsafe. It allows us to walk the town, listen to residents, and map out exactly where improvements are needed most.

Think of it as putting a flashlight on the problem so we can fix the right things the right way.

Why planning matters

I know the word “planning” doesn’t always sound exciting. But here’s the truth:

You don’t get major construction dollars without doing this step first.

Federal and state infrastructure funding requires communities to show they’re ready—ready with data, community input, and clear priorities. This grant helps Dumfries do exactly that.

We’re not delaying progress.

We’re preparing for it.

You don’t pour concrete before you pour clarity.

What we’ll be doing with this funding

With this grant, we will:

• Conduct a townwide sidewalk accessibility audit
• Identify missing or unsafe sidewalk connections
• Make sure our routes meet ADA accessibility standards
• Engage residents, businesses, and community groups
• Test up to three quick-build safety improvements
• Create a clear, prioritized action plan for future sidewalk investments

By the end of this process, we’ll know where to focus—and we’ll be ready when larger funding opportunities come.

Why this matters to everyday life in Dumfries

This work is about making Dumfries easier and safer to navigate for:

• Seniors who want to stay independent
• Families with strollers
• Children walking to school
• Residents with disabilities
• Anyone who simply wants to walk their town safely

Sidewalks connect people—to schools, shops, parks, and to each other.

What comes next

In the months ahead, we’ll begin assessments and community engagement, and I want residents to be part of that conversation. Your experience matters, and your input will help shape our priorities.

This is how we move Dumfries forward—thoughtfully, intentionally, and with people at the center of every decision.

Safer sidewalks don’t happen by chance.

They happen when a community decides they matter.

And in Dumfries, they do.