Safety Plans For Western Springs Underpass

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – In October, Western Springs officials received a petition asking the village to undertake safety improvements near the new West Underpass.

Last year, the village built a pedestrian underpass under the BNSF railroad tracks on the west side of town. On the north side of the tunnel, pedestrians and bicyclists let out near Prospect and Hillgrove avenues.

According to a village memo, pedestrians exiting the underpass cross Hillgrove without first checking for traffic, according to a village memo.

Now, the village has a stop sign at Prospect, but not Hillgrove. Under the village administration's proposal, Western Springs would add signs with flashing beacons warning drivers to stop for pedestrians.

The village's consultant, V3 Companies, has given officials two options – install the flashing beacons and monitor their performance or make the intersection an all-way stop.

A village committee has recommended going with the first option.

On Monday, the Village Board is set to review the options and provide direction to its staff. A decision could be made as early as Jan. 23.