Last night, instead of attending the traffic forum at Bradley, I instead took my daughter in to MedPointe where she was diagnosed with strep throat. By the time I got her prescription filled and got her back home, it was close to 7:30. She’s getting better — the trick is keeping her brother and sister away from her during the first 24 hours while she’s still contagious. 🙂
I did get a chance to check out the Blogger Bash for a while later in the evening. Eyebrows McGee was there with Mr. McGee, as was PeoriaIllinoisan, Brad Carter, Billy Dennis, Diane Vespa, David Henderson, and Precinct Committeeman.
So, did anyone go to the traffic forum? I heard a couple of reports on WCBU which were good, but does anyone else have any more details to share?
One of the suggestions I heard on WCBU’s report was an Uplands resident who suggested putting in cul-de-sacs to keep more traffic from filtering through the neighborhoods. I think that’s a terrible idea. When you shut neighborhoods off to through traffic, it puts more strain on the arterial roads like Main and University, forcing them to be wider and faster, just exactly what we don’t want.
My contention is that cut-through traffic per se is not the problem, but rather people speeding through the neighborhood. If motorists wanted to cut through at 20-25 mph, I doubt neighbors would have much complaint. It’s important to deal with the proper root issue so we don’t make things worse in our attempt to fix them.
My block of North Underhill Street and the ajoining block of Russell Street has become Peoria’s most popular residential cut-thru, particularly for those who do not wish to wait for the light at Main and University. Back when the block was 1 way- prior to late 2001- this wasn’t an issue. I’m seeking to return the block to 1 way status. While all cut thru traffic is not bad, in this case it is a major quality of life issue.
When I lived in the Uplands from 2000-2002 in the 1000 block of Elmwood, the neighborhood association had some success getting some special traffic enforcement attention from the Peoria P.D. and the Bradley P.D. to deal with the speeding issue. That’s obviously not the ultimate solution to the problem since the police only have so many resources, but it’s better than nothing.
How about speedbumps? I once had to drive over ones that were more like those cement markers for parking spaces than “bumps”. No one in their right mind would drive more than 5mph over those things, they were brutal.
I got to spend my day and night with a daughter who has an ear infection and can’t keep food down. Yay!!
Looks like I missed out on some fun.
Be it known that as of yesterday (05/29/2007) after a long and dragged out non stop venture into city politics and services, I finally got the city to see it my way and install a “Left Turn Arrow” on the traffic light @ east bound MLK Jr Drive and Western Ave. Anyone who has sat there 5th in line for 3 or more light changes in the afternoon or morning knows that this was needed. It will make the intersection much safer as people will be less inclined to run the light out of frustration of sitting thru multiple light cycles.
I am in that area often Em… great job!
Em: When is the installation date so we can plan a ‘victory’ party? Great work! 🙂
In response to installing speed bumps: City Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken says the fire department is against that idea because it hinders its efforts to get to the scene quickly and can also damage their vehicles and emergency equipment
Councilman Sandberg was the one suggesting cul-de-sacs for Uplands. Arbor Dist. neighbohood association president shared their solution which I did not understand but which involved using alley behind homes on Main street as a frontage road and demolishing the homes on Main St. Did anyone follow how that would help their cut-through traffic? Speed humps would be nixed by fire chief who says ones on Prospect have destroyed pumper trucks. I’m not wild about the cul-de-sac idea, but how could we really enforce speed limit???
What?! The city made a change to a traffic signal on a road within a half-mile radius of a state highway?
congratulations on the left turn light I use that intersection almost daily. As for cul-de-sacs this would cause a problem with emergency vehicles access to homes and businesses. They need any and all access that they can get to assist us in emergencies. There is a solution to the speeding and we just have to find it. Perhaps more cameras with timers showing the license plates of the offenders and sending them speeding tickets. Eventually they will have to pay them or appear in court. This will effect their insurance premiums. For my part the speeders are getting absolutely ridiculous. 60 mph in a 30 mph area on a daily basis.
A double lane modern roundabout at Main and University would eliminate the long wait to get through that intersection. Culdesacs and diagonal diverters and one way streets have all been done. Let’s try something better.
The light is installed and in use and does it ever make that intersection safer. Thank you for all the kind replies. The city engineer called me this afternoon to tell me it is in and tweaked.
I’m open to alternatives, Tim. However, the 1 way worked well for a long time and that may very well be the easiest way to fix the issue on my street. In any event, the status quo is not acceptable. Well done, Em. Thanks for the inspiration and example.
May I express my gratitude to a constituent who suggested the change at MLK, Jr and Western, as well as to the manager of traffic engineering, Nick Stoffer, who quickly answered my request to look into the matter? Sometimes government actually does work quickly and well!
Barbara Van Auken
Good work Em and hats off to Nick Stoffer; I know him a little and truly he is a dedicated and hard working public employee. These are the types of solutions that have a true impact on the quality of driving life issues for citizens – every little bit helps.