‘Leafland needs that J-Turn’: Assumption residents push for changes to deadly intersection

ASSUMPTION, Ill. (WCIA) — Residents are pushing the state government to change a deadly intersection after another serious accident happened this week.

Back in July 2022, Keegan Virden and Conner Rowcliff, two Central A & M high school students were killed after a car accident on Highway 51 and Leafland Avenue.

Another serious accident occurred Wednesday night at the same intersection , where three people have been hospitalized.

Joni Virden, Keegan’s mom, told WCIA she’s impatient for changes to the road.

“I want that J-turn in and I feel like IDOT is dragging their feet,” Virden said.

A J-turn, also known as a Restricted Crossing U-turns, has been shown to decrease right-angle accidents on two lane highways. It re-routes left turn and through vehicles from the side road.

IDOT shared a video explaining how J-Turns work.

Her and other residents of the Christian County village have calling IDOT, as well as Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville)’s offices, demanding faster changes.

“I don’t understand why it’s taking over a year to get the J-turn in,” she said.

Other Assumption residents also feel IDOT’s process hasn’t been quick enough.

“I’ve got people that I’m wanting to make sure they’re okay because I have kids,” Assumption resident Andrea Royer said. “And of course, I have people messaging me, making sure I’m okay.  And that’s like that every time they get a call and they’re like, oh, another one out there, on 51.”

The agency completed a road safety assessment in 2022 to figure out the best changes for the intersections.

“The RSA suggested short term, intermediate and long term solutions. Short term improvements were made in the fall 2022,” IDOT spokesperson Paul Wappel said. “That included increasing the size of intersection signs, repainted pavement markings, and adding flashing lights to the approaching intersection warning signs. The long term solution recommends converting the intersection to a J-turn.”

Some short-term improvements include repainted roads and larger Divided Highway signs, which Royer noticed.

“The main thing is look both ways twice,” Mike Sloan, whose parents live down the road, said. “I think it’s just being vigilant about what’s around you.”

The agency is set to hold a public hearing on the future this spring, but has yet to finalize a date for the hearing, though Wappel said the hearing “will probably be in May”. At the hearing, Wappel said IDOT will present options, conceptual drawings, and costs of solutions. Officials will also answer questions about the J-Turns.

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