The McLean County Regional Planning Commission [MCRPC] will host two open houses in August to share draft updates to the Go:Safe McLean County action plan, aimed at improving safety for every transportation user.
The first open house will take place from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 7 in the Community Room at the Bloomington Public Library. The following Wednesday [Aug. 13], the second meeting will take place from 5-7 p.m. at the McLean County Highway Department at 102 S. Towanda Barnes Road, Bloomington. Presentations will be held at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. both days.
The plan update will address safety needs for every transportation user in McLean County, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities and underserved communities.
The original Go:Safe action plan dates back to 2021. At that time, urbanized areas of McLean County were averaging 3,500 traffic collisions every year, resulting in more than 750 injuries and 12 deaths. The plan called for making Complete Streets improvements, improving transit stops, and fully interconnecting walking and bike networks with transit routes, among other recommendations. It aimed to change public attitudes about things like using a cell phone while driving, pedestrian compliance with walk-don't walk lights, and even using crosswalks.
The goal for the meetings is for MCRPC to share draft strategies with the public before finalizing the updated plan this September.
The work is funded in part by a Safe Streets & Roads for All [SS4A] grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, with additional money from the Illinois Department of Transportation and local partners.
