IDOT announces public hearing on dangerous Assumption intersection
ASSUMPTION, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation is set to host a public meeting in regard to an intersection in Assumption that has proven to be problematic and dangerous in the past.
It’s the intersection of U.S. Route 51 and Leafland Street. Several crashes have occurred there in the past, including two that made WCIA’s headlines.
Three people, including two children, were critically hurt in a crash there in March. And in 2022, a crash claimed the lives of teenagers Conner Rowcliffe and Keegan Virden.
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The crash in March reignited calls from the community for IDOT to change the intersection’s layout to make it safer. Now, the agency is inviting the public to attend a hearing on the proposed changes to the intersection.
It will take place Thursday, June 6, from 4-6 p.m. at Central A&M Middle School.
The proposed changes would convert the intersection into a J-turn configuration. Drivers who want to turn left would be directed to initially turn right before making a U-turn about a quarter-mile away from the intersection.
This eliminates the number of conflict points, IDOT explained, where vehicles merge, diverge or cross. Left turns at traditional cross intersections have 32 conflict points, whereas a J-turn has only 18.
IDOT officials said there will be no formal presentation at the public hearing. Instead, representatives will be available to answer individual questions and receive comments. Comments can be submitted at the hearing or mailed to Jay Wavering, a Studies and Plans Engineer at IDOT District 6, located at 3215 Executive Park Drive in Springfield, 62703.
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