Will County panel OKs reduced speed on Cedar Road near Manhattan

The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee approved a reduction of the speed limit on Cedar Road from 55 to 45 miles per hour, one quarter of a mile north and south of Baker Road, during its meeting on Tuesday.

County officials said the goal of reducing the speed is to reduce the number of accidents at the intersection of Cedar and Baker roads, according to a news release. The county transportation department also plans to install four-way stop signs at the intersection.

“There is a lot of excitement about this area, and it will continue to grow,” board member Frankie Pretzel, R-New Lenox, said in a statement. “I am in favor of installing a four-way stop sign and reducing the speed in this area.”

Will County engineer Jeff Ronaldson said the county will install message boards to notify motorists ahead of the speed reduction and stop sign installation. Committee Chair Joe Van Dyne, D-Wilmington, requested flashing lights on the stop signs to stay on for a full year.

“I would like to thank the Will County Board for their actions regarding this dangerous intersection,” Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen said in a statement.

Adrieansen said that in the last 10 months, there have been nine accidents, causing two fatalities at that intersection.

“We understand the desire to keep traffic moving on Cedar Road, but one cannot ignore the number of incidents that have occurred,” he said. “Reducing the speed limit and making the intersection a four-way stop should mitigate future incidents at this intersection.”

The full County Board will have to approve the resolution at its meeting Oct. 21.

The four-way stop signs will be installed Oct. 25, according to the county news release.