4 Crashes A Year In Last 5: IDOT To Study US 52, Baker Intersection

MANHATTAN, IL — Drivers will soon see updates to existing signage at a problematic intersection in Manhattan, the mayor said Thursday.

Months after Mayor Mike Adrieansen's appeal to the Illinois Department of Transportation for help with the intersection of US 52 and Baker Road, the department has responded, stating that they will conduct an engineering study at the intersection to determine next steps.

A look at crash data revealed four accidents per year from 2018 through 2023, IDOT said, with one 2022 crash resulting in multiple fatalities, and one in 2023 critically injuring a driver.

A problematic feature of the intersection includes the permitting of southbound vehicles to pass just north of the bridge before the Round Barn. Drivers also often exceed the speed limit of 55 miles per hour, both north- and southbound through the curve. With heavy traffic moving at high rates of speed, drivers east- and west-bound on Baker Road often find themselves with a lengthy wait to turn onto US 52, often edging out into traffic to see around the curve.

Town growth, increased traffic through Manhattan—trucks and otherwise—and high speed limits on US Rte 52 highlight a need for action from the state and county, Adrieansen told Patch previously.

Until an engineering study can be conducted, the department will install amber flashing beacons on the existing advance advisory signs approaching the intersection, and red flashing beacons on the existing stop signs on Baker Road. The beacons will be installed as soon as their workload allows. The state is also extending its no passing zone stripes by 600 feet.

"This is a start to make this intersection safer for our residents and visitors," Adrieansen said on social media. "We thank IDOT for listening to our concerns."

The improvements to signage and other traffic control measures at the intersection are supplementary to others made recently in the village, including the implementation of a four-way stop at Cedar and Smith roads.

In another effort to relieve traffic on the north-south US 52, the Village in May approved the rebuilding and reopening of Eastern Avenue, from Baker to Smith Road, bringing back another north/south entry point and connection to neighboring New Lenox.

Work started in August on the rebuilding of the essential, one-mile stretch of road that will make a big difference to Manhattan, Adrieansen believes. Work is expected to be completed within two months, he added.