Oswego To See Pedestrian Safety Improvements On Route 34

OSWEGO, IL — The much awaited traffic improvements on Route 34 in downtown Oswego can be seen as early as this spring. On Tuesday, the Oswego Village Board approved a plan with the Illinois Department of Transportation that includes additional and bigger signage and pavement markings along crosswalks on Washington Street from Jefferson Street to Route 31.

"Currently, flashing beacons and handheld flags alert vehicles to pedestrians in the crosswalk at Main and Washington Streets, and Oswego police patrol the stretch of Washington Street through downtown Oswego to deter speeders," the village website states. "However, these safety measures fall short of the Village's goal of a pedestrian-friendly downtown that encourages residents to gather, shop and dine — a goal that will likely best be met by traffic signals at key intersections."

The village has been working with IDOT for more than two decades to improve pedestrian safety along Route 34. The federal highway cuts passes through the heart of downtown Oswego and has been the site of multiple crashes between vehicles and pedestrians, including a fatal crash in 2018.

In 2019, the village engaged Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD to study the
Washington Street (Route 34) corridor. CBBEL completed vehicle and pedestrian counts, modeled
traffic, and developed a menu of options for improving pedestrian safety.
Last year, the village board approved the hiring of CBBEL to prepare plans for both short-term and long-term improvements. The long-term improvements are the construction of traffic signals at the intersections of Washington Street with Harrison and Main streets.

IDOT has reviewed and approved plans to construct short-term safety improvements along
Washington Street. This project will address immediate needs of the downtown to highlight the
20 mile per hour speed limit in the downtown and enhance visibility of crosswalks. Specifically,
the project includes:

• Upgrade of existing and installation of new traffic signs
• Installation of radar feedback signs
• Upgrade of existing and installation of new pavement markings
• Traffic signal modifications to eliminate existing "split phasing" at the intersection of Route 34 (Washington Street) and Route 31

Currently, eastbound and westbound Washington Street do not get green lights at the same time. This "split" increases the cycle time for the intersection, thereby increasing delay. CBBEL’s simulations suggest that if both directions receive green at the same time, flow through the intersection will improve.

The first two upgrades will be performed by village staff while the remaining tasks will be performed by contractors. Using village staff to complete some improvements will reduce the estimated cost of 45,000, a village memo states.

"Pedestrian safety in our downtown was one of my first major priorities for Oswego, and I am happy to be able to deliver on that promise this evening," Village President Troy Parlier said, "and we are continuing to work on more long-term improvements that will have an even bigger impact in creating a safer, more vibrant downtown."

In addition, engineering is already underway for a second phase of improvements that will make it safer for pedestrians to cross Washington near the entrance to Hudson Crossing Park and will be interconnected with the adjacent railroad to keep traffic moving safely across the tracks. Construction is pending approval of a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission, but it could begin as early as summer 2022, the village said in a release.

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