On Monday, the Burr Ridge board of trustees agreed to mark a pedestrian crossing at 79th Street and Woodside Lane and try and lower the speed limit.
The road is currently under the auspices of the county, but the board directed the village to see if the county could relinquish the road to local control. The issue is one of safety, after several people have almost been hit, one child was hit and a pet was hit by a car in the crosswalk.
The measure approved a contract for design and engineering services with Pimera Engineers of Lisle for $56,600.
More Top Picks Buying Advice
Prior to the vote, Frank Urban, a resident, said his daughter was hit by a car recently and he was almost hit in the walkway, which is also used by area children walking to school. Urban said his daughter sustained minor injuries and is fine, but, “it could have been a bad situation.”
He added that the police issued no citations because the driver was not driving recklessly, but that the walkway is just so poorly marked and the speed limit so high that it leads to accidents.
“It’s difficult to see people. I think it’s a dangerous spot,” Urban said.
And, again, he said he himself was almost hit in the past.
“The car did not see me,” Urban said. “I would really advocate for increased signage maybe even with lighting.”
Trustee Guy Franzese, who said he’s neighbors with Urban, agreed.
“It’s a crosswalk that sees a lot of traffic and it needs more signage,” Franzese said. He pointed out that a resident’s dog was hit while on a walk.
At present, lit crosswalk signs cost $15,000 to $25,000, according to village officials, but the town did agree to at least post signs — if not electronic ones.
“We’re going to order two standard signs for either sides of the road, they’re not going to be lit up, they’re going to be regular signs,” said village administrator Evan Walter. “If the county has a beef with that so be it. … We want that road to be as safe as possible.”
Franzese said he supports more signage, but still supports electronic warnings.
Trustee Tony Sciappa said drivers need to know to stop for pedestrians, but others pointed out that the road is used by commuters and out of towners who might not even know a crosswalk is there at all.
Meanwhile, Mayor Gary Grasso said the town has asked the county to reduce the speed on the road to 30 miles per hour, and he supported adding signage warning.
“We can ask for forgiveness,” Grasso said, directing village officials. “I’m sure they’ll give us the street to take care of it, but just tell them what we’re trying to do.”
The motion passed 5-0, with Trustee Anita Mital not present due to a scheduled absence.
Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.