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Champaign County - U.S. 45 at Flatville and Leverett Road
THOMASBORO - In Champaign County, U.S. 45 is a four-lane divided highway with turn lanes in both directions at Flatville Road (Central Avenue) and Leverett Road.
Currently, both intersections have higher-than-average crash rates compared to similar intersections across Illinois. To improve safety, this project will convert the existing two-way stop intersections into J-turn intersections, designed to reduce the number and severity of crashes.
U.S. 45 at Flatville Road
- The average annual daily traffic = 1,650.
- 75% of the crashes involve eastbound/westbound vehicles colliding with northbound/southbound vehicles.
- There is driver error in gap acceptance and adequately seeing crossing vehicles.
U.S. 45 at Leverett Road
- The average annual daily traffic = 2,450
- 76% of the crashes involve eastbound/ westbound vehicles colliding with northbound/southbound vehicles.
- There is driver error in gap acceptance and adequately seeing crossing vehicles.
- The accidents on Leverett Road have declined since lighting was installed.
- There have been nine Type A injury accidents over the past 10 years and one fatal crash.
- For all the non-serious crashes over the last 10 years, the prominent theme is that drivers on Leverett Road (both eastbound and westbound) are pulling out onto U.S. 45 and not seeing traffic on U.S. 45 (both northbound and southbound).
J-turn (also called RCUT) intersections reduce the risk of serious crashes by minimizing conflict points at the intersection. This will eliminate the need for motorists to cross oncoming traffic from two lanes in two different directions. Once the project is completed, motorists will need to cross only one direction of traffic at a time.
Aside from safety, other project benefits include increased throughput achieved by allowing more traffic to move through the intersection, improving travel time for minor road traffic.
PROJECT SCOPE: The proposed improvements will convert each full access at-grade intersection to a j-turn intersection with widening for auxiliary lanes. Approximately 0.7 acres of right-of-way along portions of the project are to be acquired by IDOT for the proposed intersection improvements. Utility adjustments are also needed within the proposed construction limits.
ESTIMATED COST: $6.1 million
DURATION (PHASE III-Construction):
- Earliest expected start date is summer 2026
- Construction is expected to last through summer of 2027
(with shutdown over the winter of 2026/2027)
TRAFFIC IMPACTS: One lane of traffic will remain open in both directions on U.S. 45 and access will be maintained to both intersections throughout construction.
PHASE I: PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING: July 2024 – November 2025
- Develop project scope, purpose and need
- Conduct technical and environmental studies
- Identify right-of-way needs
- Solicit public input
- Public hearing was held April 7, 2025
- Obtain study approval
PHASE II: DESIGN ENGINEERING: November 2025 to March 2026
- Refine design and cost estimate
- Develop contract plans, specifications and special provisions
- Complete land acquisition
- RCUT Intersection Animation (YouTube)
- U.S. 51 and Andrews Street J-Turn Drone Footage (YouTube)
- U.S. 45 and Leverett Road Schematic (PDF)
- U.S. 45 at Flatville Schematic (PDF)
- J-Turn Statistics (PDF)
View more information on IDOT projects. For IDOT District 5 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict5 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.