Danger On Theodore Street: Will Joliet Activate New Traffic Lights Anytime Soon?

JOLIET, IL — Less than two weeks mark the somber third anniversary since 58-year-old Joliet motorcyclist Ronald Favia died after a Chrysler driven by a 40-year-old Plainfield man turned into the Wesmere Parkway, colliding with Favia's motorcycle.

Favia's death drew heightened attention to the dangerous Joliet intersection across the road from Troy Middle School. City of Joliet officials embarked on a plan to upgrade the intersection, including the installation of new traffic lights at Theodore and Wesmere Parkway, where the deadly crash happened.

On May 8, the City of Joliet issued a news release announcing the initial phase of the Theodore Street widening and traffic signal improvements project, was nearing completion. The project is between Wesmere Parkway and River Road and consists of the widening of Theodore Street to five lanes along with new sidewalks and streetlights.

The permanent traffic signals at the intersection of Theodore Street and River Road were turned on Monday, May 5 and are operational, the city of Joliet pointed out.

"The new traffic signals at the intersection of Theodore Street and Wesmere Parkway will be turned on upon completion of the resurfacing and the installation of new pavement markings, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 10," the city's press release announced.

This resurfacing work will take several days to complete and will be weather dependent. Joliet will also be completing pavement marking modifications on Theodore Street between the intersections of River Road and Route 59 beginning Tuesday, May 13.

According to the city of Joliet's May 8 announcement, the existing pavement markings will be removed, and the road will be restriped from four lanes to three lanes. This “Road Diet” will offer the benefit of accommodating a center turn lane for cross streets, thereby increasing the safety of the corridor. The Road Diet will not impact the capacity of the two signalized intersections at River Road and Route 59, which will remain as-is.

The widening improvements along the Theodore Street corridor are being completed in phases. The next phase of the improvements will be between Wesmere Parkway and Drauden Road. Utility relocation has begun for this phase with road construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and will include a new traffic signal at the intersection of Theodore Street and Drauden Road.