Politics & Government
IDOT: 'No Predetermined Solution' for 47th/East Intersection
IDOT, community members work to tweak a draft statement that defines the need for improvements at the intersection of 47th Street and East Avenue in La Grange.
IDOT representatives working on a project to improve the 47th Street/East Avenue intersection in La Grange have not designed anything specific, nor do they have a "predetermined solution" for the future of the congested crossing, V3 project manager Dave Heslinga said at a community meeting Wednesday.
IDOT held its second Community Advisory Group meeting Wednesday at the La Grange Park District, where La Grange residents and IDOT representatives worked together to tweak a draft problem statement defining the need for improvements at the intersection.
The problem statement will help IDOT team members in a study looking at potential impact traffic signals or an overpass would have on the intersection. The project identifies six major intersections in the area that were affected by the 1998 Joliet Road closure south of 55th Street.
Based on data related to the intersection, community feedback and discussions with residents, IDOT put together a statement defining the problem at 47th and East, the desired condition not being achieved, and factors that contribute to the problem.
The statement reads:
"The intersection of 47th Street at East/Eberly Avenue currently experiences transportation problems including congestion, safety concerns and traffic delays. With a forecasted increase of approximately 24 percent in traffic by the design year 2040, these issues will likely be compounded.
Operational issues at the four-way stop controlled intersection currently result in congestion and high delay times. The delay times are exacerbated during train crossing events due to the two adjacent railroad crossings. The congestion around the intersection results in motorist delays, encourages traffic to cut through residential areas and prevents efficient access to local businesses, residences and parks.
The intersection has been identified in IDOT’s Annual Five Percent Reports for 2008 through 2012 which lists locations experiencing a higher crash occurrence/severity rate when compared to similar locations across the state.
A sidewalk is only present on the north side of 47th Street east of the intersection and on the east side of Eberly Avenue. The limited amount of multi-modal accommodations does not promote the use of alternative modes of transportation and is not conducive to pedestrian safety.
The existing configuration and stop control condition of the 47th Street at East/Eberly Avenue intersection negatively impacts the safety and mobility of local residents and the business community, as well as commuters passing through the site daily."
Concerned an overpass would make the intersection more dangerous and increase traffic, residents opposing a grade separation at the intersection have formed the 47th Street/East Avenue Community Group.
Group member Michelle Halm said addressing the problem statement with increased community involvement and additional information was key at the Wednesday meeting.
"From listening to the people, a reduction in traffic—which would then reduce congestion—is a huge concern... But continuing through this whole process, safety is what I keep hearing is of the utmost concern for people," she said.
The group has circulated a petition that now has 250 signatures from residents against a grade separation, group member Sheri Barrette told the IDOT representatives Wednesday. The petition also asks elected officials at the local, state and federal levels to represent that position.
"There's a great deal of concern in our community about what a grade separation could mean for our local park (and neighborhoods)," Barrette said.
Halm said the group feels a grade separation would decrease safety, increase traffic, and reduce the integrity and cohesiveness of the La Grange community.
"The feedback we've gotten from IDOT is, they hear us, and our hope is that they will be seriously taking into consideration... alternatives for this intersection," she said.
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Approximately 12,000 cars and 56 freight trains pass through the crossing each day, according to the Chicago Region Environmental Transportation and Efficiency Program (CREATE). Congestion increased after the 1998 closure of Joliet Road between East Avenue and 55th Street, the Illinois Department of Transportation said (IDOT).
An overpass at 47th and East could reduce motorist delays at the crossing by about 28,500 hours annually, according to CREATE documents.
The project, still in the first of its three phases, would be funded by a portion of a $40 million settlement reached in 2010 over the Joliet Road closure.
Heslinga said he expects the next community meeting will be in September.
Community members can submit comments through the Study Documents Page or by emailing info@47eastavestudy.com.
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