September 19, 2024
Shaw Local
NewsBusinessSportsBearsNewslettereNewspaperObituariesWeekend PlansEvent Calendar

Batavia City Council approves reduced lanes on Route 31

Route 31 will be reduced to three lanes with a center lane designated for left turns throughout much of the city

By David Petesch
A bicyclist crosses Route 31 at Houston Street in downtown Batavia last week. Statewide, motor vehicle collisions with bicycles increased 8% in 2022 over the previous year. Paul Valade/Daily Herald Media Group

Batavia motorists should expect a slower drive through the city on Route 31 this fall as it will be reduced to three lanes as part of the city’s road diet program.

Batavia motorists should expect a slower drive through the city on Route 31 this fall as it will be reduced to three lanes as part of the city’s road diet program.

City Council members Aug. 19 approved a contract with Superior Road Striping Inc., of Bartlett, to conduct road striping as part of the project on Route 31. The road diet, also known as lane reallocation, will reduce the route from four lanes to three lanes with shoulders and a center lane designated for left turns.

The road diet would reduce the lanes on Route 31 from Fabyan Parkway to Mooseheart Road throughout the city – except for the portion between Houston and Elm streets – in an effort to reduce speeds after a fatal pedestrian accident and many near misses occurred in 2023.

The City of Batavia is implementing a road diet, also known as lane reallocation, on Route 31 that will reduce the route from four lanes to three lanes with shoulders and a center lane designated for left turns Fabyan Parkway to Mooseheart Road, except for the portion between Houston and Elm streets, in an effort to reduce speeds after a fatal pedestrian accident and many near misses occurred in 2023.

The City of Batavia is implementing a road diet, also known as lane reallocation, on Route 31 that will reduce the route from four lanes to three lanes with shoulders and a center lane designated for left turns Fabyan Parkway to Mooseheart Road, except for the portion between Houston and Elm streets, in an effort to reduce speeds after a fatal pedestrian accident and many near misses occurred in 2023. (Provided by the City of Batavia)

The city conducted a preliminary traffic and safety analysis on Route 31 last year that indicated the predominant crash types in the study corridor – rear-end and turning crashes – could be significantly reduced by implementing a road diet.

The city began conversations with the Illinois Department of Transportation about the project in October 2021 and is working with IDOT on permitting the project.

According to the striping contract, the city will pay Superior Road Striping Inc. $175,172 for the striping work, which includes a 10% contingency. City Council members approved the contract in a unanimous vote.

With the contract approved, the city will submit the complete permit application to IDOT for final approval, which is expected by mid-September. If approved by IDOT, the striping work will be completed by Oct. 31 as is required by the contract.

Batavia staff is expected to present a contract for the construction engineering phase of the project in the coming weeks.

A separate study and preliminary engineering for the section of Route 31 between Houston and Elm streets is underway. It will address operational issues and explore all pedestrian crossings and intersection safety enhancements in that section. The city is expected to present those study and engineering findings to IDOT and hold a public information meeting later this year.

BataviaKane County