Intersection Where Bus Crashed Deemed “High Severity Crash Location”

IDOT figures show 53 crashes at IL Route 173 and Kilbourn Road between 2004 and 2011

The site of Friday’s fatal school bus crash was once listed as a "high severity crash location" before traffic signals were installed last year, according to a spokesman at the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"Traffic signals were installed by the Department at IL-173 and Kilbourn Road in August of 2012 as part of a federally funded Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) project," DOT’s Chief Communication Officer Jae Miller said in a statement. "The project was intended to address injury crashes occurring at the intersection. Prior to installation of traffic signals, the intersection operated with stop signs on Kilbourn Road and IL-173 did not stop."

IDOT’s figures show that between 2004 and 2011, there were a total of 53 crashes at that intersection, including one fatal crash in 2011.

Much of that crash data contributed to the intersection being labeled "high severity."

It isn’t yet clear if the traffic signal has reduced the rate of accidents at the intersection.

"We do not yet have data for crashes that have occurred since August of 2012 when the signal was installed," said Miller.

A chart of crashes at the intersection, prepared by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety:

 
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