New Traffic Signal On Route 59 To Enhance Road Safety: Village

PLAINFIELD, IL — An intersection that has raised safety concerns since 2014 could soon become more accessible. During its June 15 meeting, the Plainfield Village Board approved the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Route 59 and Champion Drive.

The signal will aid drivers while crossing lanes and making a left turn onto northbound Route 59 from their subdivisions during rush hour.

"The west leg of the intersection is under the jurisdiction of the village [of Plainfield], the east leg is under the jurisdiction of Naperville and the north and south legs are controlled by Illinois Department of Transportation," said Scott Threewitt, lead engineer.

This installation had been on IDOT's schedule for 2022 but Public Works Director Allen Persons said it was recently decided that the project would be fast tracked and a review of bids from contractors who will build the signal, can be expected in September.
The total cost of the project is $1.6 million with payment split among funds from the federal government, IDOT, the city of Naperville and the village of Plainfield.

Plainfield's portion of the cost is $51,000, Persons said.

Besides the traffic signal, the work will include median reconstruction, new sidewalk installation, and drainage improvements at the intersection.

Over the years, several petitions have been started by residents of Naperville's South Pointe subdivision, expressing concerns about safety. They claimed that given the size, traffic volume, and speed at which cars travel through this intersection, a traffic signal should be warranted at this location.

IDOT studied the intersection — where a street collecting traffic from large residential areas on each side of Route 59 connects with the busy state road — and determined it meets criteria to have a traffic signal.