Normal begins Pedestrian and Roadway Safety Initiative
Written by June Delahunty on August 27, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Town of Normal
NORMAL, Ill. – Normal will soon begin seven construction projects aimed at making the roads safer for motorists and pedestrians.
The projects, titled “The Pedestrian and Roadway Campus Safety Initiative,” have start dates staggered throughout September. Each will reportedly take between a single day and several months.
The projects include shortening crosswalks, adding bike lanes, making road symbols more visible, improving intersections and more.
“We have experienced a significant number of high injury crashes involving pedestrians in the last few years, and unfortunately at least one fatality,” said Ryan Otto, Normal’s Public Works and Engineering Director. “We endeavor to understand the areas that have safety concerns, and also learn from the student body, and the community as a whole, where those concerns are at.”
The largest of these projects will be on School Street at the intersection of College Avenue and Mulberry Street. The area will be closed for a time in order to shorten the crosswalk, make more room for pedestrians and attempt to slow the traffic through the intersection.
Generally, Otto describes the motive of the project as not only improving safety, but as making a community that’s easier for pedestrians to traverse.
“We learned about areas where we didn’t necessarily have a lot of crashes, but areas where students had a lot of concerns,” Otto said. “Overall, we hope to improve the walking and biking experience, as well as the driving experience, to make it safer for everybody as they pass through and come to campus.”
All of the projects the town is undertaking are based on a survey they conducted back in May. They also continue to seek feedback on the project’s website.
“All those private projects, we do hope to glean how they work,” said Otto. “But also, if they work well, apply those throughout the community going forward.”
If the projects go well, Otto mentioned increased potential for more projects like this in the future.
