Naperville Announces 17 New Sidewalks for 2026-2027

UPDATE: Naperville officials just announced plans to install 17 new sidewalks over the next two years, a pivotal move aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and connectivity. The initiative, part of the city’s ongoing sidewalk program, will take place in 2026 and 2027, with a budget of $300,000 allocated for each year.

This development is crucial for the community, as it seeks to fill existing gaps in the city’s sidewalk system, making neighborhoods more accessible for residents and schoolchildren. “Our original focus was to ensure safe walk routes for getting to and from school,” said Jennifer Louden, director of the city’s Transportation, Engineering and Development department. “We have been quite successful at completing the gaps over the past 20 years.”

To date, Naperville has successfully installed close to 15 miles of sidewalk across 129 gap locations. The following locations will receive new sidewalks in 2026:

– 6th Avenue from Center Street to Ellsworth Street
– Douglas Avenue from Webster Street to Washington Street
– Killdeer Drive from Foxcroft Road to Starling Lane
– Laird Street from Wilson Avenue to Douglas Avenue
– Wright Street from Villa Avenue to Wehrli Drive
– Wright Street from Wehrli Drive to Hillside Road
– Wright Street from Hillside Road to Prairie Avenue
– Highland Avenue from Wright Street to Columbia Street
– Vest Avenue from Lockwood Circle to Bauer Road

In 2027, new sidewalks will be installed at these locations:

– Parkway Drive from Jefferson Avenue to Benton Avenue
– Sleight Street from Eighth Avenue to the cul-de-sac
– 10th Avenue from Main Street to Washington Street
– Main Street from 12th Avenue to 13th Avenue
– Main Street from 13th Avenue to 14th Avenue
– Webster Street from 13th Avenue to 14th Avenue
– Wright Street from 8th Avenue to 5th Avenue
– Willow Road from Maple Lane to Golden Larch Court

Originally, there was a proposal to add sidewalks on Franklin Avenue from Julian Street to Huffman Avenue. However, that plan was scrapped following concerns from a resident about the steep incline and existing flood prevention measures. “No one is really walking on this side of the street,” said resident Donna Malone, highlighting the challenges posed by a 75-foot elevation drop.

The city employs a systematic approach to determine where new sidewalks are most needed. This includes an inventory of gaps and a scoring system based on factors such as proximity to schools and existing connections. Surveys are also conducted to gauge community support for each proposed location.

This latest initiative underscores Naperville’s commitment to improving pedestrian infrastructure and community safety. Louden emphasized that the city is dedicated to creating a comprehensive network of sidewalks, ensuring that nearly every street has pedestrian access.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed about upcoming plans and provide feedback as the project progresses. This is a significant step forward for Naperville, making it a safer place for walking and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.

Stay tuned for more updates as the installation of these sidewalks gets underway!