ASSUMPTION, Ill. (WAND) — Nearly two years after two Central A&M students were killed in a wreck at the intersection at U.S. 51 and Leafland Street, the Assumption community showed up to hear about a proposal to make the deadly intersection safer.
In 2022, Conner Rowcliff and Keegan Virden were killed on their way to weight training.
Joni Virden, Keegan's mother, told WAND News that she still gets phone calls when car accidents take place at the intersection.
A portion of Rt. 51 will be designated as the “Conner-Keegan Memorial Highway” to honor the two teens.
Related Links
- Sangamon County Coroner identifies second victim killed in crash involving Central A&M students
- Officials working to make Assumption intersection safer following crash that killed 2 teens
- Central A&M mother presents donation in honor of late son
- Route 51 around Assumption to be designated as the 'Conner-Keegan Memorial Highway'
Last month, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that it would be holding a public hearing in Assumption to address safety improvements, most notably a J-Turn proposal.
J-Turns provide an alternative to dangerous intersections on four-lane highways by letting drivers turn right, merge into the left lane, and then make a u-turn in the direction they want to travel. This type of turn already exists at the intersection of U.S. 51 at East Andrews Street in Macon.
"We need the J-Turn," said Virden. "If we can help save other lives so they don't have to go through the heartache that my family and the Rowcliffs have went through, then that's what we're gonna do."
IDOT plans on starting construction next spring.
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