04/02/2026
The City of Tell City is pleased to announce that construction of the new sidewalk improvement project along the east side of State Road 66, from Washington Street to William Tell Blvd., is expected to begin in April. This long-anticipated project represents an important investment in public infrastructure and reflects the City’s continued commitment to improving safety, accessibility, and connectivity for Tell City residents.
The project has been in development since Tell City received funding through the INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) in 2021. Since that time, the project has advanced through key stages including planning, design, and utility coordination, all leading up to the upcoming construction phase.
Once completed, the new sidewalk and ADA-accessible ramps will provide a much safer route for pedestrians traveling along one of Tell City’s busiest corridors. The project will benefit walkers, runners, bicyclists, families with strollers, individuals using wheelchairs, and residents traveling on foot to work, businesses, medical services, restaurants, and other essential destinations.
Mayor Chris Cail said the need for this project has been clear for years and is rooted first and foremost in public safety. A 2025 INDOT traffic study revealed that the Annual Average Daily Traffic count along this section of Highway 66 was 26,402 vehicles in the combined eastbound and westbound lanes.
“Public safety has always been at the heart of this project,” said Mayor Chris Cail. “We have seen residents walking in or dangerously close to the roadway, including individuals in wheelchairs and those traveling on foot to work each day. State Road 66 is a heavily traveled route, and for too long many pedestrians have had little protection from traffic. This project is about making sure people can get where they need to go safely.”
Cail said the urgency of the project has been reinforced by a past tragedy. “In 2019, a pedestrian was struck and killed just outside the city limits along Highway 66 while walking to work near the Waupaca Foundry entrance,” Cail said. “That tragedy remains a painful reminder of why we must continue taking steps to improve pedestrian safety.”
In addition to improving safety, city officials say the project will strengthen accessibility and connectivity throughout the community. By creating a safer and more walkable route, the project will better serve residents of all ages and abilities while also supporting healthier lifestyles and greater independence.
City officials ask residents and motorists to please cooperate with all posted traffic control and safety signage during construction. Patience and caution will be appreciated as work gets underway.
