Politics & Government

Trustees Solidify Opposition to Overpass at 47th/East Intersection

The board united Monday in its stand against a possible grade separation at the congested intersection.

An overpass won’t be coming to the 47th Street/East Avenue intersection if the village has any say over it.

The La Grange Village Board voted unanimously Monday night in favor of a resolution formally opposing any grade separation at the intersection, buttressed on one side by a railroad crossing.

New Village President Tom Livingston said he introduced the resolution in response to the community conversations that have taken place over the past several months. Passing the resolution against a grade separation now, he said, would ultimately save time in ongoing discussions with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Find out what's happening in La Grangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The Village believes that any grade separation west of the intersection on 47th Street would be detrimental to the quality of life for our residents, would significantly, adversely, and forever change the residential character of our community, and would undermine the Village's traffic calming and pedestrian safety investments made to date,” the resolution reads.

Residents organized the 47thStreet/East Avenue Community Group in March in resistance to a possible overpass, one of several solutions IDOT proposed to ease traffic congestion and improve safety at the intersection.

Find out what's happening in La Grangewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The group would like to see something done at the intersection—just not an overpass.

The village trustees seemed Monday night to agree.

“I’m heartened by the fact that we’re at least talking about improvements at that intersection,” Trustee Jeff Nowak said. “… (But) an overpass at that intersection simply does not keep people safe. It divides the community; it endangers residents; it is simply a bad idea.”

IDOT is in the midst of a multiyear study to assess possible projects at the intersection and has, so far, held two community meetings in La Grange. Approximately 12,000 cars and 56 freight trains pass through the crossing each day, according to the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program, which is also looking into projects at the site.

Residents asked the village to put its position in writing at an April board meeting, but former President Liz Asperger said it would be premature.

Michelle Halm, one of the community group’s organizers, said after Monday's meeting that she was thrilled the board is now willing to take a formal stance.

“They’re voicing the concerns of residents, protecting the integrity of the village, and protecting the safety of residents and those passing through,” she said. “I’m encouraged that we’ll be able to keep the momentum going.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here