Another La Grange Road Traffic Light Recommended

LA GRANGE, IL – A consultant this week presented a report suggesting a new traffic light on La Grange Road. It would be at 51st Street.

The consultant, Todd Vanadilok, also pushed for cutting the South La Grange Road speed limit.

It's not a new idea. A consultant recommended the same thing 16 years ago.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Vanadilok spoke about the report from his organization, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, about how to improve South La Grange Road.

His report recommended lowering the speed limit to 25 mph, from 35 mph, which requires the state's approval. He noted that La Grange Park persuaded the state to lower its limit to 25 mph on its part of La Grange Road.

"They were able to provide documentation and community input and also village officials' input to let (the state) know, 'Hey, this is really important to us,'" Vanadilok said.

He suggested his organization's report, which included residents' feedback, could help La Grange do the same.

During public comments, resident John Pluto urged the village not to "dilly-dally" on submitting its speed-reduction request to the state.

"Let's finish this project before we start another one," he said.

Meanwhile, Trustee Beth Augustine noted the village has no signalized crosswalks on La Grange Road from 47th Street to Plainfield Road, which is eight-tenths of a mile. (A crosswalk without a signal is at 52nd Street.)

"I think it really cuts off the community," she said. "This is one of the longest stretches I've seen without a safe crossing."

The report said that many residents believe a fully signalized intersection would be the safest way for pedestrians to cross.

The report also calls for the village to look at ways to redevelop the properties along South La Grange Road.

Vanadilok recommended a panel consisting of developers to advise the village on how to promote mixed-use development.

He said the village is already working with the Urban Land Institute to make that happen.

"None of us are in that developer mindset to understand what really could work," he said.