The Homewood Village Board approved the contract for crosswalk improvement services with HR Green, Inc of New Lenox, IL at the July 8 meeting. 

According to Terence Acquah, Homewood assistant village manager, these improvements will improve visibility and safety for both pedestrians and drivers, and reduce accidents.

The construction of high-visibility crosswalks is part of the village’s 2024 Downtown Transit-Oriented Development Master Plan, which includes pedestrian improvements to support safety considering future pedestrian traffic growth, Acquah said. 

“Downtown Homewood is experiencing rapid growth, with several commercial and mixed-use developments in progress or planned to begin in the next two to three years,” Acquah wrote, adding, “all of which will add significant foot traffic to the downtown area.” 

He says the project will be funded by the General Capital fund, and will not exceed $24,095. The plan entails engineering for five crosswalks and 10 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible curb ramps at major crossroads:

• Harwood Avenue and Ridge Road – one crossing with two ADA ramp improvements.
• Ridge Road and Martin Avenue (east intersection) – one crossing with two ADA ramp improvements.
• Chestnut Road and Harwood Avenue – two crossings with four ADA ramp improvements.
• Dixie Highway and Chestnut Road – one crossing with two ADA ramp improvements. 

In addition, updated signs and solar-powered flashing beacons to alert drivers to crossing pedestrians will also be a part of the project, Acquah said. 

These improvements were developed in partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority, and also with Muse Consultants and CivilTech Engineers, he said. 

“The largest of these developments, proposed to be located on the site of the existing village hall parking lot, will shift parking for the village hall and other municipal buildings across Dixie Highway,” Acquah wrote. 

HR Green will assist with the Illinois Department of Transportation permit application for the improvements at Dixie Highway, which Acquah says falls under state jurisdiction. The firm will also assist the village with the bidding process, he said.