Vernon Avenue Improvements

As part of a complete streets review process, the Town of Normal plans to re-envision the design of Vernon Avenue from West Beaufort Street to Towanda Avenue. (The image below illustrates the area of study.)

Vernon Avenue serves as an east-west corridor from Illinois State University to the business district along Veterans Parkway. The study area includes multiple access points to Constitution Trail and Colene Hoose Elementary School.

Much of Vernon Avenue has reached the end of its useful life. This stretch of road has been resurfaced in phases over the last 20+ years. The oldest section dates to 2002. In 2016, the Town of Normal passed a Complete Streets Ordinance, which calls for public streets to incorporate design elements for all transportation users, including those in vehicles, on Connect Transit, on foot, on bicycle or on other mobility device.

About the Complete Streets Review
The Town of Normal embarked on this review process to provide safe, accessible accommodation for all. Project objectives include:

• lowering vehicle speeds in the area,
• increasing driver awareness, and
• providing safe crossing for all pedestrians, including elementary school students and bicyclists.

The effort is intended to increase safety and evaluate alternative transportation options. Potential improvements identified in the review process may take some time to implement. Following the review process, a project budget and phased timeline approach will be determined.

This is a long-term planning process. After recommendations are finalized, the project is likely to be built in phases over several years, as funding allows.