A village-wide movement to make every street safer for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and families. Join your neighbors in building a safer, more connected Homewood.
183rd Street Crash Map
Filter Crashes by Year
What’s Changing?
Converting 183rd Street from four travel lanes to three:
- Two lanes for driving
- A center lane for turns
This approach, called a road diet, is used across the country to cut crashes, calm traffic, and improve overall flow.
Why It Matters
Reduces crashes and speeding
Makes turning easier and safer
Keeps traffic flowing smoothly
Safer for walkers, bikers & drivers
What’s Been Done So Far
Since 2020, the Village of Homewood has:
Studied 183rd Street safety improvements
Collected community input
Found that a 4-to-3 “road diet” is the most effective solution
Received a grant to fund the project
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “road diet”?
A road diet is when a street is redesigned from four lanes to three: two travel lanes plus a center turn lane. This proven design reduces crashes, calms traffic, and makes streets safer for everyone.
Will this make traffic worse?
No. Studies show that a 4-to-3 conversion keeps traffic flowing smoothly. Most drivers notice little to no change in travel time — but they do notice fewer sudden lane changes and safer turns.
Why is this needed on 183rd Street?
183rd has a high crash rate and speeding issues. The road diet improves safety, reduces collisions, and makes the street more comfortable for drivers, walkers, and bikers.
How does the center turn lane help?
Instead of blocking a travel lane while waiting to turn left, drivers can move into the center lane. This reduces rear-end crashes and keeps through traffic moving.
Will this hurt businesses along 183rd?
Actually, safer, calmer streets can help local businesses by improving access and making the area more inviting for customers traveling by car, bike, or on foot.
Won’t removing travel lanes on 183rd Street just divert traffic onto other local streets?
No. The Village measured traffic volumes and speeds on 187th Street and Ridge Road during their road diet test in 2022 and found no significant increases. Since 4-to-3 conversions keep traffic flowing, this is typical for road diets in our area and nationwide.
Who’s paying for this project?
The Village of Homewood secured a grant to fund the project.
Has this worked in other communities?
Yes! Cities and towns across the U.S. have implemented road diets with great success — reducing crashes by 19–47% according to the Federal Highway Administration. The Village of Lansing saw traffic crashes drop almost 50% after converting Ridge Road west of Torrence Ave. from 4 lanes to 3. The conversion was so successful they’ve converted Wentworth Avenue as well.
Resources & Research
Want to learn more about why this works? Explore national and local research:
In the News
Stay up to date on what’s happening with 183rd Street:
- Homewood Approves First Phase Plan 183rd St
- Homewood Begins Traffic Diet Experiment on 183rd St
- What You Need to Know This Weekend
- Homewood Could Seek Grant to Help Implement Traffic Diet Plan on 183rd St
- The Weeks Sept 11
- Public Invited to Open House on Traffic Diet Test Results
- Consensus Seems to Support 183rd St Traffic Diet
- The Weeks Dec. 18
- State Approves Funding for 183rd St Road Diet Project
- Villages Get Traffic Grants
- More Preliminary Work Needed Before 2 Traffic Safety Projects Begin
- Future Uncertain for 183rd St Traffic Calming Project
- The Weeks Feb 25
- 5 Year Capital Finance Plan Presented to Homewood Board
- Homewood Planning & Zoning Commission Recommends New Downtown Master Plan
- The Weeks Sept 22
- Column Traffic Calming Project on 183rd St Remains in Limbo
