Will County Kicks Off Safety Action Plan

Public Encouraged to Share Experiences Online and at Upcoming Community Open House in Efforts to Shape Safer Roadways

WILL COUNTY – Will County and local leaders, in coordination with Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), are proud to announce the launch of the Will County Safety Action Plan, a guide to make roads safer, reduce crash severity, and ultimately save lives throughout the county.

“Ensuring safe roads in Will County is a top priority,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “This plan will support our efforts to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, creating a safer transportation network for all roadway users. I hope that residents throughout the county will share their thoughts on how we can make ‘safe travel for all’ a reality.”

“This plan continues the ongoing progress that Will County has made in recent years to improve safety on our roads, in coordination with state and local partners,” said Will County Public Works and Transportation Chair Joe VanDuyne. “Public engagement is critical for a successful plan, and I’m calling on our community to actively participate in this process.”

The safety action plan is being developed in coordination with a variety of local leaders and stakeholders, including representatives from schools, fire departments, hospitals, community organizations, and law enforcement agencies. These steering committee members will ensure the plan reflects the needs and concerns of everyone who lives, works, and travels in Will County. Through community engagement and data-driven insights, the plan will identify strategies and recommendations that will enhance safety on local roads.

Anyone who travels in Will County is strongly encouraged to actively participate in this plan by attending community events and providing feedback online. Engagement opportunities will include the following:

• Community Open House: Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Join the project team at The Ovation Center in Romeoville at 349 S. Weber Rd., Romeoville, IL 60446, to learn more about the plan and share your input. Please complete the event registration form on the project website in advance to ensure accessibility needs are accommodated.
• Safety Hotspots Map: Visit the project website and use the interactive Safety Hotspots Map to drop a pin where safety improvements are needed, highlight challenges, and offer recommendations.
• Take the Online Survey: Shape the safety action plan for Will County by taking a few minutes to fill out the online survey.

As part of the regionwide Safe Travel for All initiative, the plan will identify practical actions, innovative solutions, and policy proposals to improve roadway safety for all users, particularly for people walking, biking, or using a mobility device. Completing this safety action plan is an important step that will allow both the Will County Division of Transportation and other local agencies to access more federal funding for transportation safety improvements. The plan will be completed in 2025.

Traffic fatalities and injuries in Will County have steadily increased over the past five years, taking a toll on the community. Of fatal and serious crashes, 61 percent occurred on 8 percent of roadways. Crashes involving vulnerable road users like pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are the most likely to result in severe outcomes.

Safe Travel for All is being implemented across six counties by CMAP, funded by a $4 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, with additional funding support from the Illinois Department of Transportation and local county contributions.

For more information about the Will County Safety Action Plan and how to get involved, please visit the project website at engage.cmap.illinois.gov/will.