Stop Signs Added at South Main, Washington Streets

Submitted by the village of Algonquin

The village of Algonquin recently placed a four-way stop at the intersection of Washington Street and South Main Street.

The four-way stop is intended to help reduce traffic speed in order to provide a safer and more pedestrian-friendly downtown. The intersection improvement brings the Village one step closer towards realizing its vision of reinvigorating the downtown area into a vibrant commercial district.

In 2013, the Village adopted the Downtown Planning Study to help transform “Old Town” Algonquin as a walkable, mixed-use business district.

Based on a series of public input meetings, direction from stakeholders involved in the downtown, community-wide surveys, and rich public dialogue, the plan outlines improvement strategies and priorities for the downtown area.

One of the primary strategies of the plan includes the enhancement of pedestrian and bicycling opportunities through downtown, including safe crosswalks.

In conjunction with the placement of a four-way stop on South Main Street, the recently opened Illinois Route 31 Western Bypass has helped alleviate traffic congestion on Main Street by providing a route for thru and truck traffic outside of the downtown area.

With the fundamental shift of traffic, the downtown shopping district is able to take strategic steps to be restored to a more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly area.

To view the Downtown Planning Study, please visit www.algonquin.org/development.