'Small Price' For Safety In Western Springs: Official

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs officials are looking at more ways to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists emerging from the new West Underpass.

The tunnel goes under the train tracks and links Hillgrove and Burlington avenues. Across the street on the Burlington side is Spring Rock Park.

This week, village trustees generally agreed that a raised crosswalk is needed for tunnel users to access the park.

A raised crosswalk is estimated to cost $72,000, as opposed to $48,000 for the alternative. Trustees said the extra $24,000 was worth it because of the added safety.

Raised crosswalks are considered a traffic-calming measure. They are built to the level of sidewalks, with gentle slopes for drivers.

During a Village Board meeting, Trustee James Tyrrell said he was near the tunnel on a relatively warm day recently.

"I saw multiple kids coming right through that tunnel, zipping out both ways coming onto Hillgrove and onto Burlington," Tyrrell said. "I think it's a very small price to pay on our behalf if we can prevent one person from getting knocked over. This was February, and I saw six or seven kids in 10 minutes alone."

Village officials have been looking at safety measures related to the new underpass for months. Residents expressed concerns at a meeting last fall.