Ivanhoe turn lanes: started by September 1
Work on the U.S. Route 52 turn lanes into the Ivanhoe subdivision in Manhattan had started by September 1, 2026. At the Village Board meeting that day, village staff said that "Route 52 has started with the turn lanes going into the subdivision." Staff said the village is working with the developer to finish the turn lanes, landscaping and punch list items. The goal, in staff's words: "We are hoping to have that completed by this winter." [6]
The village's September 2026 building report shows 15 occupancies issued in Ivanhoe from May 1 to September 30, 2026. An occupancy is the village's sign-off that a finished home can be moved into. The same report shows no new Ivanhoe building permits in those five months. A year earlier, from May 1 to September 30, 2025, there were 14. [8]
Front Street parking: work set to start the week of October 26
The Village of Manhattan plans new parking along Front Street, which runs to U.S. 52. The same project resurfaces Front Street, according to a memo from the Superintendent of Public Works dated October 12, 2026. The memo says the street needs it because of the watermain replacement project and damage from its heavy equipment. Sidewalk repairs and improvements are part of the work. [2]
- Where: the engineer's October 2026 report describes on-street parking along the east side of Front Street from Sweedler to U.S. 52. [1] The plan set covers Front Street from Elwood Road to U.S. 52, 966.87 feet, or 0.18 miles. [2]
- Bids: four. Austin Tyler bid $314,945.70, D Construction $338,392.10, P.T. Ferro $369,388.20 and Gallagher Asphalt $402,362.80. [2]
- Board action: the memo puts a resolution to hire Austin Tyler for $314,945.70 on the Village Board's October 20, 2026 agenda. Staff recommends approving it. [2]
- When: the engineer's October 2026 report says construction is to start the week of October 26. [1] The memo says Austin Tyler indicated it can finish before the end of 2026. [2]
Wabash and Whitson crosswalks: waiting on an IDOT permit
Manhattan plans crosswalks with signage at Wabash and Whitson along U.S. 52. The village engineer's September 2026 report says the design for the crosswalks, signage and flashing beacons is complete. [7]
The crosswalks need a permit from IDOT, the Illinois Department of Transportation. The engineer's October 2026 report says the village resubmitted for that permit on August 20 and is waiting for IDOT to respond. The schedule is to be determined pending IDOT coordination. [1]
Neither report gives a cost for the crosswalks.
Water main extension: construction set for spring 2027
The U.S. 52 water main extension runs from Gougar Road to Foxford Drive in Manhattan. The village engineer's October 2026 report says design and bid documents are in progress and lists spring 2027 for construction. [1] The September 2026 report gave the same schedule. [7]
Route 52 path to Round Barn Farm: waiting on a grant
Manhattan wants to extend the existing multi-use path along U.S. 52 from Foxford Drive to Round Barn Farm. A September 9, 2026 memo from Village Engineer Carrie A. Pintar says the project "will increase safety by providing a dedicated path for bicyclists/pedestrians" between the two. The board's resolution calls it bicycle and pedestrian facilities with crosswalk improvements along U.S. 52. [3]
Most of the money would come from IDOT's Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, or ITEP. The memo calls ITEP a $157 million federally funded program run through the state. [3]
- The ITEP grant pays 80% of eligible design engineering, construction and construction engineering costs. The village pays a 20% local match. [3]
- The ITEP grant pays 50% of right-of-way and street lighting costs, per the resolution. Right-of-way is the land a road or path sits on. [3]
- The largest award for one project is $5 million. [3]
- The memo lists the cost to the village as to be determined if the grant is awarded.
The Village Board approved a resolution supporting the application on September 15, 2026, with 6 ayes and 0 nays. A trustee asked that night whether the post office, across the street from the planned path, could be part of the application. The village engineer said it can be included. [4]
On October 6, 2026, the village engineer told the board the application went to IDOT the day before. The village will follow up once it learns whether it gets the grant. [5] The engineer's October 2026 report gives October 5 as the submission date. It says the right-of-way and easement research is complete, and that the schedule depends on available funding. [1]
What this means if you live near Route 52
If you own or are looking at a home near U.S. 52 in Manhattan, the village's papers set two dates. Front Street work is set to start the week of October 26, 2026, and water main construction is set for spring 2027. [1] The path to Round Barn Farm and the Wabash and Whitson crosswalks have no date yet. One waits on a grant decision and the other on an IDOT permit. [1]
