More safety improvements will soon be in place at the busy intersection of College Avenue and Kingsley Street in Normal where an Illinois State University student died last year while crossing the roadway.
“We are waiting for delivery of equipment so we can install what we call rapid flashing beacons, a pedestrian-driven flashing light. When pedestrians are waiting to cross, they can push a button and the beacon will start notifying traffic," said Normal City Manager Pam Reece.
Reece also said Connect Transit will move a bus stop, and the town will remove bushes and other foliage that impedes the view for both motorists and pedestrians.
She said the town recently repainted crossing stripes at both College and Kingsley and at College and University Street — another high foot-traffic crossing.
Last spring, the town and Ameren replaced dim streetlights with brighter ones to reduce shadows.
On Nov. 29, 2021, a motorist hit and killed 23-year-old ISU student Danielle Fairchildat College and Kingsley.
In March, town officials said the town and ISU would conduct a broader traffic safety study to examine foot traffic throughout the area and whether there are significant hazards that could lead to injuries or deaths.
Reece said that has not yet happened.
“I don't have a timeline for that. We have been working for now (on) just specific individual locations, but do see the value and want to move forward with a campus-wide safety study. We haven't yet issued a request for proposals,” said Reece.
Foot traffic by those connected with the university is not the only kind of traffic that is high volume. Illinois Department of Transportation data show more than 8,000 vehicles per day go through the campus area stretch of College Avenue.
