Village officials say a traffic corridor study may be needed before a decision can be made about altering Cedar Road.
A recent transportation plan submitted to the Village Board emphasized community sentiment for keeping Cedar Road’s residential character even though the thoroughfare also is the town’s main north-south route, planning and development administrator Carrie Hansen said.
Residents have protested suggestions that the road be widened to four lanes, saying a more heavily traveled street would destroy the character of their neighborhood.
Consultants said some traffic congestion would be the price of maintaining Cedar at two lanes.
Other traffic-calming measures, such as turning lanes, could be used to smooth out traffic flow, Hansen said.
“There’s nothing that’s an easy fix. Everything is going to cost something,” she said. “You’ve got a very serious traffic issue and a very serious character issue. Those two are going to lock horns.”
A further study could examine how roadwork under way on U.S. Highway 30 and Haven Avenue could affect Cedar Road’s traffic, Hansen said.
Population growth will increase traffic by itself, and proposed construction on Interstate Highway 355 will add cars.
“We’re in a position before (the Interstate Highway 355 extension) opens to be proactive,” Hansen said.