The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing the City of Normal for a "smart growth" initiative - a traffic roundabout.
Normal is 1 of 5 communities that received the EPA's 2011 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement.
The agency gave Normal the award for civic places. It says the Uptown Normal roundabout that originally was designed to manage traffic has evolved into a civic gathering place that increases business for local stores
The EPA says it's trying to support communities that find innovative ways to strengthen their economy, provide sustainable housing and transportation choices and protect the environment.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says the honored communities "are leading the way with their successes."
Other communities that received the award are St. Louis, Albuquerque, N.M., El Paso, Texas, and Howard, S.D.