Village Plans Public Workshop For U.S. Rte. 52 Corridor Safety Plan

MANHATTAN, IL — The Village has planned a workshop geared at collecting public input for its Manhattan Corridor Safety Plan, an initiative focused on improving safety along the U.S. Route 52 corridor.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Manhattan Junior High School, 15414 Smith Rd. The event will be conducted in an open house format, allowing attendees to stop by at any time during the three-hour window.

The Manhattan Corridor Safety Plan aims to identify opportunities to enhance safety for all users—drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists along one of the community’s most important transportation corridors.

The Village in April announced the start of work on the Manhattan Corridor Safety Plan: An Action Plan for U.S. Route 52, a comprehensive planning study focused on improving transportation and pedestrian safety along the community’s central corridor.

U.S. Route 52 serves as a key arterial roadway for residents, businesses, and visitors, accommodating vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and freight traffic, the Village said. The plan will identify strategies to reduce crashes, aim to improve safe travel for all users, and support the Village’s long-term downtown business development goals.

The planning study is being funded largely by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program, a federal initiative aimed at preventing roadway fatalities and serious injuries through data-driven planning and targeted safety investments. The Village applied for and was awarded a $100,000 grant through the program for study in Fiscal Year 2024, one of the few Planning and Demonstration grants in the State of Illinois.

Community input is a critical component of the planning process, helping to ensure that the plan reflects local experiences, concerns, and priorities.

At the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Share concerns and experiences related to safety along U.S. Route 52
• Identify specific locations where improvements may be needed
• Provide input on potential strategies and concepts to enhance corridor safety
• Engage directly with project team members and Village representatives

"Community input is one of the most important parts of this planning process. The people who travel on Route 52 every day have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities along the corridor. We encourage residents, business owners, and corridor users to attend the workshop and help shape a safer future for Manhattan," stated Village Trustee Justin Young, Chair, Manhattan Corridor Safety Plan Steering Committee.

For those unable to attend in person, additional opportunities to provide input will be announced as the project progresses.

Event Details:

• What: Manhattan Corridor Safety Plan – Public Input Workshop
• When: Thursday, July 16, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Manhattan Junior High School
• Format: Open House (come and go)

For more information about the Manhattan Corridor Safety Plan, please visit the village’s website at: www.villageofmanhattan.org.