Loves Park intersection to get $2 million roundabout

LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — A new roundabout is coming to a busy Loves Park intersection.

On Monday night, city officials asked the public to weigh in on the new roundabout at the intersection of Riverside and Argyle.

Neighbor Glennie Smith lives near the proposed roundabout, and at Monday’s meeting asked it the city considered a 4-way stop instead.

“We were told was they didn’t even talk about it. They hadn’t considered it. And we’re wondering why. Because that would have that would have taken care of it, too,” she said.

“We’re going to have to go out the back of our subdivision and take a dirt road to get to Riverside. That’s still a major concern,” Smith added.

Public Works Director Shannon Messinger said a roundabout will increase traffic flow and safety.

The project will cost roughly $2 million, 80% of which will come from the state’s Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program.

“It’s the best situation for that type of intersection,” Messinger explained.

“If you come from the east, going to the west on Riverside, and you have to stop to turn into our subdivision, people coming over the hill are going 50 miles an hour, and they can’t stop in time. And we’re stopped right there to turn left. Nobody is going to be getting hit or rear-ended right there at that intersection,” Smith said.

Messinger said they expect to begin construction in the summer of 2027.