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IDOT plans Prospect Avenue road diet with bike lanes; city staff says changes will include ADA upgrades and some tree loss
Summary
City staff described a Prospect Avenue project led by the Illinois Department of Transportation that will reduce four lanes to three, add bike lanes and sidewalk/ADA upgrades, with construction likely in 2027.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — City staff told the Champaign City Council on April 15 that an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project to redesign Prospect Avenue will convert the street from four lanes to a three-lane cross section with bike lanes, a center turn lane and ADA-compliant sidewalk and ramp upgrades; the project is likely to be constructed around 2027.
The change comes after IDOT traffic and crash studies. "Based on the study that has been completed, this road would benefit from a road diet," a city staff member told the council, noting the factors behind IDOT's recommendation: high traffic, rear-end and turning crashes, and side-swipes. Staff said the proposed cross section will have one travel lane each direction, an 11-foot lane width for through travel, a center turning lane and bicycle facilities.
Why it matters: Prospect Avenue is a major arterial through Champaign. Reducing lanes and adding bike facilities will change how motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians use the corridor; staff said the redesign should carry similar traffic volumes at slower, safer speeds and improve accessibility, but will require some tree removals to widen sidewalks and meet federal ADA ramp standards.
Key details presented to council
• Jurisdiction and funding: Staff said IDOT is leading the Prospect Road Improvement Project with an estimated investment of about $15 million. The portion under study is largely IDOT jurisdiction; the city noted the street functions as a local arterial.
• Street configuration and safety rationale: Staff said IDOT's counts and crash analyses showed benefits to a road diet; the three-lane cross section can carry similar volumes as four lanes but at slower speeds and with fewer severe crashes. "A 3-lane cross section we know from studies can carry the same traffic volumes as a 4-lane cross section but at slower speeds and much more safely," planning staff member Bruce said.
• Bike lanes and ADA work: The city adopted a bike implementation plan that prioritized bike facilities on Prospect Avenue; IDOT's design team concluded bike lanes were warranted for the segment under review. Staff said the project will add an eight-foot buffer between vehicle lanes and sidewalks in places, install ADA-compliant sidewalk and ramp improvements, and that ADA work is a federal requirement that will also affect tree removal.
• Timeline and public engagement: Staff said preliminary engineering is nearly complete and construction is likely in the near future, with a probable start around 2027. The city plans to publish a frequently asked questions document and update the bike implementation plan page on the city’s Engage Champaign site.
Council members and staff encouraged residents to review the FAQ and project materials; staff also noted that the center turn lane can function as an emergency lane when needed, which the fire chief told staff would help emergency access.
What the meeting did not do: The council did not vote on or adopt a local ordinance altering Prospect Avenue; IDOT will proceed with final design and project approvals. Staff said additional design details and engagement will be forthcoming as the project moves toward construction.
