Hawthorne Project Goes Before Capital Improvements Commission

A recommendation to reconstruct and widen Hawthorne Avenue could be decided later tonight.

The Capital Improvements Commission is meeting tonight, Tuesday, July 12, to hear from residents and staff about the potential Hawthorne Avenue Project. 

The commissioners will either give the project a thumbs up or down and pass the review onto the village board. At a later date, the village trustees will consider the commission's review before making a final decision on the project. 

Recently, village staff presented residents with preliminary findings on the potential project, which left some residents upset. 

Many residents are worried that the widening of the road will encourage drivers to travel faster along Hawthorne Avenue. However, studies showed that cars travel at similar speeds on wide and narrow roadways in Glen Ellyn, according to a study conducted by Lynn Means, Sam Schwartz senior transportation engineer. 

Some residents' primary concern is that widening the road could endanger kids who walk to school.

Tonight's meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the , 535 Duane St.