Village of Lombard Legistar System

Mr. Cook from the Ad Hoc Trails Committee gave background on the item. A traffic

study that was done by the Village showed significant traffic, as well, the Du page

County trail user count is 1,300 at these crossings. That makes them the second

heaviest trail crossings in Du Page County. Signage was installed a short while ago,

however, a flashing yellow would be better. Gorman pointed out that alot of times a sign

on the side of the road can not be seen because of two lanes of traffic. Mr. Cook went

on to point out that at the Main street crossing there are also sight distance issues,

especially on the west side. Gorman added that the Trails Committee wanted to keep

the existing setup, in that the trail users have to stop. The flasher is not meant to stop

vehicular traffic, just warn them of the crossing. General discussion regarding crossings

in other towns ensued. Difino commented that when the island on Main Street was first

installed drivers became confused and some were stopping, which left path users

confused as to whether or not they should go. He thought perhaps the lights may

create the same confusion. Deputy Chief Cuny clarified that the problem with the island

on Main was the sign that said yield to pedestrians in crosswalk. The Village took the

sign down and put a sign on the Illinois Prairie Path that pedestrians yield to vehicular

traffic. The law says yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, but it also says pedestrians

can't just walk out into traffic. He said he does not see any harm in putting the light up.

Gorman explained that the budget numbers are for the Board of Trustees to say yea or

nay to. The cost will be lower than the estimate because the estimate assumes the

worst case for running a power line. We will be doing solar power. Gorman also went

on to point out that the crossings are unsafe now, this will make it safer without making

the driver stop. Schwarz asked if the Village could approach the County to participate

financially since the path is under their jurisdiction. Gorman answered that the Village

already has and they do not have the money. Also, the lights are in the village

right-of-way.

Snead asked if there have been any documented accidents or incidents. Deputy Chief

Cuny responded that he did not think there have been any in the last 3 yrs. Corbino

asked if there is any grant that could be applied for this type of project. Gorman said

that there is, however, Du Page County said they are not optimistic. At this point, the

Village is just fighting to keep the funding for the bridges on the Great Western Trail.

O'Brien commented that he thinks it's a good idea, but it would have to be better

justified. Mr. Cook explained that the Trails Committee was thinking that due to the

amount of vehicles and pedestrians this would be a preventive measure rather than

reactive. Sherretz commented that she was afraid people will see flashing lights and not

read the sign and assume they can cross. Corbino said that although he thinks the

flashing light would prevent an accident, he has concerns about it being a ped activated

light. It may be possible that a child on a bike would press the button and zoom out. He

suggested that a full size stop sign be put on the path. The responsibility of crossing

should be on the path user and the Village should start with signage. Gorman explained

that the stop sign that is there is the same as all the other crossings and is legal for a

path. Corbino added that he feels that at Westmore there is hardly any signage and

what's at Main Street is marginal. He continued with saying that he does not know that

the flashing light would make the intersection any safer. Schwarz asked if there had

been any thought about just a sign on mast arm without flashing beacons because

trucks in the curb lane do block curbside signage.

Corbino asked if there was a ballpark estimate for installing a solar powered system.

Gorman responded that he would guess it could be put in for about $50,000. Nolan

commented that it might help someone who's conscientious. The ownership needs to

be on the path users instead of alerting the cars unless there are compelling statistics.

Sherretz said she would rather see a flashing light facing the path alerting path users to

use caution.

Kalisik reviewed the memo. Staff received Preferred Pedestrian Plans for all schools

and scanned them into the computer. District 45 partnered with Villa Park last year, so

they were very familiar with the program. The team members have agreed to meet

every 3rd week of the month Applications are due between August 1st & October 31st.

Nolan asked what the outcome of Villa Park's application was. Kalisik responded that

they were not awarded a grant. He want on to remind the Committee that it is a very

competitive grant program. There were about 70 million in funds and 170 million in

requests. Sherretz asked if there was an alternate plan if the request is denied. Kalisik

answered that there is not. Right now the policy states 3-blocks from school and one

side of street and right now we have that at all schools.

were approved is because drivers were not paying attention to the pedestrians. He

stated that he prefers the existing signage. He also pointed out that there is a line of

sight problem as you look north from eastbound St. Charles. Deputy Chief Cuny

suggested that it is probably best to leave it the way it is at St. Charles and Main. Difino

asked how the Police Department would enforce "when pedestrians are present".

Deputy Chief Cuny answered that if an officer sees an incident, it would be enforced.

Difino went on to say that at rush hour when Parkside backs up to Craig, that traffic cuts

down a residential street sometimes at high rates of speed and that creates an unsafe

situation. Schwarz added that since northbound Main usually backs up past Parkside, if

you give them the opportunity to make a right on red they may likely do it at an

inappropriate time.