Manhattan Officials Praise IDOT’s ‘Swift Action’ on Route 52, Discuss Further Safety Measures

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | November 18, 2025

Article Summary:
Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen thanked the Illinois Department of Transportation for its quick response in adding safety measures at the Route 52 and East North Street intersection, while trustees pushed for additional improvements like crosswalk lighting. The new three-way stop is now being actively enforced by Manhattan Police.

Route 52 Safety Key Points:

• Mayor Adrieansen credited IDOT for its “swift action” in implementing safety changes following community and village advocacy.

• Trustees Robert Dilling and Lucinda Neighbors urged the board to consider illuminated crosswalks to improve visibility at the dark intersection.

• Police are enforcing the new three-way stop, with Chief Ryan Gulli noting it will take time for drivers to adjust.

• Trustees also noted traffic congestion concerns, with cars backing up and blocking nearby intersections.

MANHATTAN, IL – After weeks of heightened community concern, Manhattan officials on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, praised the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for its recent safety improvements at the intersection of Route 52 and East North Street but stressed that more work is needed.

“We’d like to also thank IDOT for their swift action after hearing our voices that they added some safety measures to that intersection,” Mayor Mike Adrieansen said at the village board meeting. “We’ll continue to meet with them to see what else could be done.”

The intersection, which was the site of a recent tragedy, has become a focal point for residents and village officials. Following the installation of a new three-way stop, trustees discussed further needs. Trustee Robert Dilling requested the board look into illuminated crosswalks, an idea presented by a lighting specialist at a previous meeting.

“That intersection is very, very dark,” Dilling said. “You see headlights, but you don’t see what’s on the shoulders. It’s very hard to see.”

Trustees also raised concerns about traffic flow, noting that cars are backing up and blocking adjacent intersections. Police Chief Ryan Gulli confirmed that his department is actively monitoring the new stop signs.

“You can’t change something overnight that’s been like that for 50 years, so we’ll give people time to figure out what that stop sign means,” Chief Gulli said. “And after that, we’ll invite them to court with us.”