A special meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for Tuesday, January 25, in the Village Hall auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m. to discuss potential improvements within the 47th Street corridor.
In 2010, the Village Board engaged its traffic consultant, KLOA, to produce several technical studies, including the following:
1. Feasibility study to re-configure 47th Street from a four-lane cross-section to a three-lane cross-section, as part of an evaluation of traffic and pedestrian safety along this roadway, and also a planning concept to improve north-south “community connectivity;”
2. Traffic origination and destination study of the 47th Street corridor, to ascertain if 47th Street is a regional transportation arterial, a local east-west arterial, or some combination of both; and
3. Feasibility study to signalize the intersection of 47th Street and East Avenue, as a means to create gaps in westbound traffic, thereby facilitating left-turns and cross-traffic movements from/between the residential neighborhoods east of La Grange Road.
In addition to reviewing these studies, the Village Board is expected to discuss the experience and effectiveness of the enhanced pedestrian crossing signal at 47th Street and 9th Avenue. This discussion will likely include recommendations regarding a similar crossing at Waiola Avenue. The Village Board is also expected to discuss a proposed policy on the use of the in-pavement pedestrian crossing signs, predominately used in the Central Business District on weekends and during special events.
To aid the public in its understanding of the studies, and potential benefits and impacts of the proposed projects, the technical reports and staff recommendations are expected to be posted on-line, no later than Thursday, January 20, 2011. To access the staff reports and technical studies, please click the link below. Residents are invited to attend and join in the discussion. Residents who are unable to attend will also be able to provide input either before or after the meeting by emailing the Village Board’s Executive Secretary Cathy Benjamin at cbenjamin@villageoflagrange.com, so that their comments will also be considered as part of the evaluation process.