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‘Prospect Protest': Neighbors divided over potential traffic flow, bike lane changes

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Many neighbors in Champaign are protesting the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) proposed plan to change Prospect Avenue. Some have put red ribbons around trees and others hung up a 35-foot sign that's turning heads. IDOT hosted a meeting over the summer to gather community input regarding the proposal, impacting drivers on Prospect between Marketview Drive and Springfield Avenue. People had concerns about widening the road then and reconfiguring the lanes then. Now, some are more worried about the one-mile stretch between Bradley and Springfield Avenues because that's where a bike lane could go in and traffic patterns changed. Neighbors near the Prospect and University Avenue intersection want to spread awareness so others know about the project. They feel one way to do that is by installing a sign along the fence that reads 'Future Site of the 'Suicide' Bike Path.' Some think making changes could lead to more problems, while others feel the proposal is good. New safety measures added to Thomasboro road, crash hotspot 'I've spoken with city officials about going ahead and re-striping and trying the three-lane configuration out, let's see how it works,' Brad LaPayne, a neighbor in the area, said. But, he isn't on board with widening the road by four feet. LaPayne tied red ribbons around trees and said neighbors hung the sign. 'Taking the trees down and adding a bike lane seems silly to me,' he added. He said he doesn't see bicyclists on Prospect very often. Cynthia Hoyle, a transportation planner and advocate for safe streets, rides her bike as often as possible but avoids Prospect. 'It is a scary road to bike on,' she described. Hoyle believes the proposed 'Road Diet' would keep bicyclists and drivers safer. However, LaPayne is worried that this type of traffic flow would cause headaches. 'You still have the same number of vehicles, but they're stretched further down the road,' LaPayne said. 'My life could've been taken': Coles Co. mom recounts car crash involving her 3-week-old, pushes for change In the meantime, he's keeping everyone informed. 'The process is still ongoing until they start moving things, I think we can still influence what happens here,' LaPayne added. Hoyle is feeling confident that any changes are a good thing. 'I'm absolutely sure it will work,' she said. 'It has worked everywhere else that we've done it in town. We have not undone any place that we've done a road diet. It has improved safety, made the traffic flow better and everybody's been happier.' WCIA reached out to IDOT with several questions, you can see the full response below. Question: What is IDOT's response to the red ribbons around the trees? Answer: 'The plans were developed for Prospect Avenue with extensive input from the City of Champaign since the inception of this project. The IDOT section of Prospect Avenue will closely match the City of Champaign's proposed section of Prospect Avenue that is south of Springfield Avenue. Our proposed project is a result of working with local government (City of Champaign) to arrive at a plan to make this corridor more accessible to bikes and pedestrians. To implement the Road Diet and on-road bicycle lanes as shown on the City of Champaign's Bicycle Vision Map, widening of the roadway is necessary which will likely impact trees along the corridor between the back of the existing curb and the sidewalk in the grass boulevard. IDOT's policy is to plant new trees to replace those impacted by the project.' Question: What about the large sign about neighbors' concerns about adding a bike path? 'Safety is our top priority on everything we do, including this project. IDOT's Bureau of Design and Environment (BDE) Manual indicates for an Urban Roadway with a posted speed of 35 MPH and an Average Daily Traffic greater than 19,000 an 8-foot on-road bicycle lane is appropriate and the 8' lane will also include the buffer as proposed with our project.' Question: What's the project cost and timeline? Answer: 'The project is currently programmed at $15.6 million for FY 2027, with construction potentially starting in the Spring of 2027 and anticipated to take two construction seasons.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.