Oswego Seeking Community Input On Downtown Traffic Improvements

OSWEGO, IL — The Village of Oswego is seeking further community input on ways to improve pedestrian safety along Washington Street and the greater Downtown area. After holding an open house on the topic earlier this month, the village is now seeking digital community input.

Downtown's main thoroughfare, Washington Street, is a U.S. Route that is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation, or IDOT. But the street has had a number of problems with car and pedestrian safety.

Between 2013 and 2017, there were 127 crashes on Washington Street between Route 31 and Madison Street, resulting in 20 injuries, according to the village. In 2018, a car crash killed a pedestrian on Washington Street.

Since 1997, Oswego officials have negotiated with IDOT for improvements to the main artery through downtown, including adding flashing beacons and reducing the speed limit to 20 miles-per-hour. IDOT has said it would consider adding traffic signals at either Washington and Main streets or Washington and Harris streets, the village previously said.

The state will consider adding traffic signals provided the community is in support, according to the village. Now, Oswego officials are hoping to engage the public on the issue.

An open house on the subject was held on Sept. 18. Now, residents who couldn't go to the meeting can make their opinions known digitally. Residents are asked to fill out this formand email it to Jennifer Hughes at JHughes@oswegoil.org.

The deadline to submit feedback on the topic is Oct. 2. Click here for more information, and click here to see the village's presentation from the Sept. 18 meeting.