| Thursday, December 22, 2005 12:42 PM CST |
Signs for alternate route could slow traffic through Downs
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board
Adding signs to direct traffic to an alternate route could solve some of the immediate concerns about excessive traffic going through the middle of Downs going to and coming from Interstate 74.
It takes only 39 seconds longer to take the unmarked, alternate route to I-74 instead of going through Downs, according to Downs Mayor Jeff Schwartz.
But there are no signs directing people to the alternate route, so Seminary Street through Downs carries an average of 4,600 cars a day almost four cars for every Downs resident between U.S. 150 and I-74.
The unmarked, alternate route uses Towanda-Barnes Road south of U.S. 150 until it connects with County Highway 36, which is just beyond the bridge over I-74. From that point until it connects with I-74 at the south edge of Downs, the county highway was recently regraded, widened and resurfaced.
The alternate route will handle projected growth for a few years, Schwartz said. In the meantime, consultants and the Illinois Department of Transportation will be working with officials from Downs, Bloomington, Normal and McLean County to determine the best route for a new road that would connect I-74 near Downs with Interstate 55 near Towanda.
The Towanda-Barnes Road portion of the alternate route with some type of I-74 exchange near County Highway 36 will be among the options studied, but indications are that idea may be shelved unless engineers can come up with ways to avoid buying several homes.
It is expected to be 10 to 15 years before a new route between I-74 and I-55 is determined and the road is constructed.
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