Manhattan Board Approves Route 52 Safety Study and Multi-Use Path Engineering

Village of Manhattan Board Meeting | February 17, 2026

Article Summary: The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees approved two separate resolutions regarding U.S. Route 52, authorizing a safety action plan study funded largely by a federal grant and commissioning engineering work for a new multi-use path connecting Foxford Drive to Round Barn Farm.

Route 52 Projects Key Points:

• Safety Study: The Board approved an agreement with Farnsworth Group for $124,500 to create a U.S. Route 52 Safety Action Plan, utilizing a $100,000 federal “Safe Streets for All” grant.

• New Path: Robinson Engineering was hired for $25,000 to perform Phase 1 engineering for a multi-use path along Route 52.

• Path Location: The proposed path will run from Foxford Drive south to the Round Barn Farm property.

• Vehicle Restrictions: Village officials clarified that motorized vehicles, including golf carts, are currently prohibited on village paths by ordinance.

The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, moved forward with two significant initiatives aimed at improving safety and connectivity along the U.S. Route 52 corridor.

The Board voted unanimously to approve a consulting services agreement with Farnsworth Group to complete a “Safe Streets for All” (SS4A) Safety Action Plan for Route 52. The contract is for $124,500. According to village documents, the Village received a federal grant of $100,000 for this project, requiring a local match of $25,000.

Mayor Mike Adrieansen stated that the study is a result of resident and business feedback regarding the downtown redevelopment plan.

“I believe it just helps enforce the fact that we do know that Route 52 is a concern for Manhattan,” Adrieansen said. “This is one way that we can take some data to IDOT and make some improvements.”

In a separate but related measure, the Board approved a $25,000 contract with Robinson Engineering to begin engineering services for a multi-use path along the east side of U.S. Route 52. The path is slated to connect Foxford Drive to the Round Barn Farm property.

“The future plan is to connect Old Plank Trail to Wauponsee,” Adrieansen noted regarding the long-term vision for the trail system.

During discussion, Trustee Dave Beemsterboer asked if the new path would be accessible for golf carts, noting that residents might use them to travel to events.

“I don’t think the Forest Preserve or the Park District… allow motorized vehicles on their paths,” Adrieansen responded. “It’d be hard if we authorized them. It might be a confusion.”

Village officials confirmed that current village ordinances enacted from the Park District do not allow motorized vehicles on the paths.