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Urbana BPAC hears timeline updates on shared‑use paths, Lincoln corridor and signal ADA work
Summary
City staff told the commission July 21 that Florida Avenue design is about 90% complete, Bakers Lane and Washington Street concrete work is done with lighting pending, SS4A grant is under FHWA review for the Lincoln corridor, and several projects now target FY28–FY29 construction windows.
City staff provided a comprehensive update to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission on July 21 on multiple active and planned projects across Urbana.
Carmen Franks (city staff) summarized project status: Florida Avenue shared‑use path design is approximately 90% complete and construction will align with the larger Florida Avenue street project; Bakers Lane shared‑use path concrete is complete with lighting being installed; Washington Street concrete work is finished and the full project is expected to be complete by mid‑August. For the Country Club and Perkins Road project, construction began in June and will widen the south sidewalk to a shared‑use path and add a new sidewalk on the north side between Willow Road and Cunningham.
Franks said the Lincoln Avenue corridor work remains between conceptual and first‑phase design; an SS4A grant application submitted in May is under review by the Federal Highway Administration. She noted the Illinois & Vine Street project design likely will include lane reductions and new bike lanes, but that some phase‑2 work may have shifted and construction is now estimated for FY29. For several projects staff is awaiting state reviews: the IDOT design review and SHPO section‑106 review for Florida Avenue are outstanding; Franks said staff will share preliminary designs with BPAC when reviews are complete.
Other items reported: signal upgrades to add ADA‑compliant audio devices at 14 signalized intersections (work awarded to CSNL and expected to be complete by mid‑November), TIF sidewalk improvements on Cunningham (work appears complete), and CDBG ramp replacements (bids opened June 30; low bidder S&C). Franks said the city is considering wayfinding signs and partnerships to connect local paths to regional trails.
Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about bright streetlight fixtures on Fairlawn, bicycle detection at Illinois & Vine (a member reported their bicycle was not recognized by the signal), and the precise limits of the Perkins Road closure. Franks advised submitting service tickets to Public Works for immediate detection or lighting problems and said staff will follow up with project managers and provide more detailed timelines and drawings at a future meeting.
