Residents of the Maroa-Forsyth school district are encouraged to come out tonight to a community event aimed to gather input for changes to an intersection near the high school.

The district in the past has seen numerous accidents at US Highway 51 and Washington Streets. Superintendent of Maroa Forsyth Schools Mike Williams says for many years now the district has become involved in pushing the Illinois Department of Transportation to make changes to the intersection. Williams says fortunately in his time in the district no lives have been lost there, but he feels a change is certainly necessary.

[audio:intersectionmeeting1.mp3]A Word From Williams[/audio]

Illinois Representative Bill Mitchell has organized a town meeting tonight for residents to come out and give some input on changes they would like to see to the intersection. Rep. Mitchell has organized for IDOT representatives to be present as well, and Williams notes, this project goes along with a similar project residents of Macon are pursuing as well.

[audio:intersectionmeeting2.mp3]A Word From Williams[/audio]

While there is flashing lights to warn traffic on Highway 51 to use caution when driving through the intersection, Williams feels that may not be enough. He says he would rather see change before worse accidents potentially take place.

[audio:intersectionmeeting3.mp3]A Word From Williams[/audio]

The meeting is this evening at the Maroa-Forsyth High School cafeteria at 6 pm and residents of both the Maroa Forsyth district and anyone else concerned with the safety of the intersection are invited to be a part of the meeting. Again, Representative Bill Mitchell will be present along with representatives from IDOT.