Secondary Stop Signs, Flashing Lights Added To Cedar, Baker Roads

MANHATTAN, IL — The intersection at Cedar and Baker roads in Manhattan has been the site of several car accidents over the last several months. Due to the accidents, some of which have been fatal, the Will County Division of Transportation said it will install secondary stop signs and red flashing beacons.

According to a release, WCDOT recently performed at 12-hour manual traffic volume count at the intersection and reported that the volumes on Baker do not meet requirements to warrant an all-way stop. They also performed a sight distance analysis and found no obstructions within sight triangles.

However, WCDOT said it removed the bush south of the intersection on the east side of Cedar to increase visibility even more. The developer sign has also been removed from the county right-of-way in the southeast corner.

"Intersection ahead" signs with Baker Road namplates have also been installed along Cedar to the north and south of the intersection. According to WCDOT, the stop signs on Baker were also replaced with even larger signs and the "cross traffic does not stop" signs were also replaced.

In the near future, WCDOT said it will install secondary stop signs on the Baker Road approach to the intersection, so stop signs will be on both the left and right sides of the road. They will also attach a red flashing beacon to the right side stop signs and are investigating the ability to use larger lettering on the "cross traffic does not stop" signs.