Normal has approved a new traffic signal on the town's west side. (Photo courtesy Flickr/Garrett)
By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – A move by the Normal Town Council on Tuesday night will allow for a new traffic signal to be built at the intersection of Airport and Shepard roads.
Town councilman Scott Preston, who lives in the area, asked City Engineer Gene Brown why the signal is necessary.
"The signal installation is primarily being driven by the need to be able to cross pedestrians safely," said Brown. "Especially children that live in the Vineyards, and the Trails at Sunset Lake, and any other subdivisions that may develop in the future."
Brown said children living in Trails at Sunset Lake have attended nearby Grove Elementary for awhile, but it wasn't until recently that children from the Vineyards began going to Grove.
"We do not have a place for them to cross Airport Road," he said.
City Manager Mark Peterson explained the town is currently seeing parents assist their children cross Airport Road at Shepard.
"Airport Road is a busy street and it is a very wide roadway," said Peterson. "Even with the signal that's proposed we will still likely have a crossing guard there to assist children in crossing."
Normal did look at putting a pedestrian signal in, but Brown said this signal is the town's best option.
"The other reason we didn't like the idea of putting a just pedestrian signal in (is) we're pretty sure that intersection is going to be signalized eventually," said Brown. "At that time we would have two signals so close together that that wouldn't function properly."
The town will use $285,850 of Normal's allotment of motor fuel tax funds to fund the project, which is expected to be completed in the upcoming construction season.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
