Commission Votes to Widen Hawthorne Avenue

The Capital Improvements Commission unanimously voted to approve the widening of Hawthorne Avenue during Tuesday evening's meeting. 

The vote to widen the road to 22 feet from it's current 21-foot width followed the recommendation of Professional Engineer Bob Minix. These two endorsements will be handed to the village board and the trustees will make the final decision on the width of the road. 

"I think it's an appropriate recommendation and compromise to achieve better overall driving conditions," said Jim Piszczek, chairman of the commission. 

The project is part of the Long-Term Roadway Improvements Program, which revamps roadways throughout the village. It's Hawthorne's turn for a facelift but some residents want to make sure their road is kept the same and not widened to preserve the charm of the small roadway, and to protect the parkway trees. 

"At this time we don't believe there is a need or benefit to widen Hawthorne," said resident Brenda Knapp. 

But the commissioners and Minix feel otherwise. Many commissioners compared the future dimensions of Hawthorne to Western Avenue. Many commissioners said they disliked driving on cramped roads like Western. But the commissioners thought 22 feet would be a good compromise considering a village resolution calls for roads like Hawthorne to be at least 25 feet wide.     

"I was leaning toward the 23 [-foot road] myself but I think 22 is a reasonable number, too," said commissioner Mike Colliander. 

The nearly $4 million project, slated to begin early next year, would add six inches to each side of the road on Hawthorne Avenue, but this seemingly minor addition leaves some residents puzzled.

"I think an extra six inches is a big deal," said resident Joel Baldin.