PRINCETON VOLLEYBALL TEAM Setting the Utica roundabout in place

from Putnam County Record_04262023

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small part on Mother Nature.

Nevertheless, Utica’s village president said he’s delighted to witness the concrete pouring and is eager to see the roundabout take shape.

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

The roundabout in Utica is (almost) set in stone.

Contractors poured more concrete Tuesday at the traffic circle being installed at the intersection of Route 178 and U.S. 6. It won’t be long before motorists notice the round contours and stop calling that intersection “the four corners.”

A welcome break from last week’s severe weather has given the Illinois Department of Transportation and its contractors a window of clear weather to bring in the cement mixers.

However, IDOT construction engineer Nate Sell said the timeline for completing the job is roughly unchanged.

“Ideally, traffic will be using the roundabout mid- to late May and the project completed sometime in June,” Sell said.

Last year, the $2.4 million project slid about two months behind schedule thanks to labor strife and a shortage of construction materials. Workers resumed construction the week of March 12 and cautioned that finishing the project by June will depend in no

“It will be great to have a solid traffic flow as we are getting into our season where we will see an influx in traffic, and village events will be starting,” Mayor David Stewart said. “The village would like to thank IDOT and all involved for a smooth process. The contractor and the engineering company have been great to work with.”

Getting the roundabout open to through traffic in May is critical because the volume of traffic surges as Memorial Day approaches. Visits to nearby Starved Rock State Park climb an average 43% between April and May.

IDOT reminds motorists to expect delays to allow extra time for trips through this area and be prepared for slow and stopped traffic. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered.

Utica police, meanwhile, not only are urging motorists to watch for workers on foot but also to take a long look back and forth before entering the intersection.

“This is an unusually wide intersection and will be easy to miss vehicles as they turn,” Utica Police Chief Rod Damron said.

For IDOT District 3 updates on Twitter, follow @IDOTDistrict3. View area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map at www.GettingAroundIllinois.com.

• Won Class A state title under legendary coach Rita Placek

• Remains only team state championship in PHS history

• One of two female state championships in area history

• Squad finished 36-2-1, beat Huntley in state title game

The Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony will be held on June 8 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle. Scan the QR code for tickets or go to: www.shawmediaevents.com/e/2023-shaw-media-illinois-valley-sports-hall-of-fam

To be considered for the NewsTribune’s Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame, an athlete or coach must have lived in the area during his or her accomplishments or have attended an area high school and must be five years removed from high school. The inductees will be announced in a random order.