Speed Limits Lowered in Crystal Lake Subdivision

The Crystal Lake City Council approved an area-wide speed limit reduction in and around the Kelly Woods Subdivision June 7. 

The maximum speed limits will be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph on Providence Lane, Nunda Trail, Glenbrook Road and Old Westbury Road to match that of Kelly Lane’s and Ray Street’s existing 25 mph speed limit.

Kelly Woods’s homeowners asked the city for help with speeding and traffic volume along Ray Street, Kelly Lane and Providence Lane which are legal cut-throughs for motorists driving between Route 31 and Terra Cotta Road. 

The city’s Traffic Safety Committee studied traffic conditions in the problematic areas, noting higher speeds through the Kelly and Providence lanes intersection due to the higher speed limits of 30 mph through the cut-through corridor. 

The committee recommended lowering the speed limit to 25 mph to keep traffic flowing at a uniform level of speed throughout the area, eliminating any confusion motorists may experience with variable speed limits along and around the cut-throughs. 

Residents had requested an all-way stop control at the intersection of Kelly and Providence lanes to further deter speeders. 

After its recommendation to reduce speed limits overall, the committee didn’t feel an all-way stop control at the intersection was warranted at this time. However, if the speed limit reduction and increased police patrol prove unsuccessful at reducing the number of those traveling about the 25 mph speed limit, the committee will revisit the possibility. 

The study showed that the average speed along Kelly Lane at 25 mph between Sept. 2010 and April 2011 was between 22 and 25 mph. On roads with 30 mph postings, the average recorded speeds during the month of April, 2011, were between 22 and 27 mph. 

Claire and Sam Pintacura, Kelly Lane residents, were pleased with the changes approved by the city council. 

Claire Pintacura is president of the subdivision’s homeowner’s association. She said the subdivision has 51 homes with over 40 children so traffic and speeding were concerns of the entire neighborhood. 

“The Traffic Committee was very dedicated working with our subdivision,” Sam Pintacura said. 

Both thanked the Engineering Department for requesting the study and bringing forward the committee’s recommendations to the city council and to the Crystal Lake Police officers that have helped keep speeding to a minimum there.