Far More Stop Signs In Elmhurst Pushed

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst officials are considering putting up stop signs in at least one direction at every residential intersection.

They are also looking at doing away with yield signs at such intersections.

By the city's count, 206 of the city's 711 intersections in residential neighborhoods are without stop or yield signs. That's nearly 30 percent.

Another 110 intersections, or 15 percent, have yield signs.

The intersections without stop or yield signs are labeled "uncontrolled."

According to a city memo, the remaining uncontrolled intersections present a risk. The city said drivers may cross intersections expecting they are controlled, resulting in crashes.

In an urban area like Elmhurst, features such as landscaping, buildings and parked cars limit a driver's visibility and sight distance, increasing the need for stop signs, the memo said.

With relatively few yield signs, the few existing ones do not provide consistency, may lead to confusion and result in a lack of compliance.

The city is considering the changes as a consultant studies the traffic situation in the College View neighborhood.

This area is bordered by Park Avenue to the north, York Street to the east, St. Charles Avenue to the south and West Avenue to the west. It includes York High School and Elmhurst University.

The city plans similar neighborhood studies across town.

At a City Council committee meeting Monday night, officials pointed to Mount Prospect as an example of a town that conducted neighborhood studies, which took five years to complete.

Before the studies, more than 40 percent of Mount Prospect's intersections were uncontrolled. Afterward, 5 percent were. And the number of crashes dropped in half, officials said.

Mayor Scott Levin said he liked the proposed changes for intersections.

"We're trying to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, make Elmhurst more walkable," he said.

At a yield sign, drivers who do not stop may not see pedestrians or bicyclists, he said.

"If you come to a stop, you do see them," the mayor said.

Ward 2 Alderman Jake Hill said sidewalks also contribute to safety. He noted wards 2 and 3 have fewer sidewalks than other areas of town.

"I hope we look at areas without sidewalks," he said. "That could be a safety recommendation."

The Public Safety Committee made no recommendations on intersections, but plans to do so at a later meeting.