Ill. 23 on top of the hill in Ottawa to be made safer for pedestrians

Ottawa, Ill. -- Ottawa City Hall wants to make it safer for pedestrians to cross Columbus St. at the top of the hill. Just one side of the highway has a sidewalk and there’s only one pedestrian crossing from Kain St. to Etna Rd.
The City Council decided last night to formally ask to join the Illinois Department of Transportation in improvements along Illinois 23.

Mayor Bob Eschbach says drainage would be provided by underground pipes instead of open ditches. The city’s part of the project would cost about $200,000 from tax increment financing funds.