Friday, May 8, 2009

IDOT Nightmares

Anyone who has paid any attention to some of my sore points over the past few years will know that the conditions along Galena Road are probably #1. I've lived off of Galena Road since 1983, and my wife has lived the same since 1964. In other words, we know Galena Road.

Representatives from IDOT recently brought the plan for "upgrades" along Galena Road for us to view. Their main plan is to install a center turn lane along Galena Road, through Peoria Heights. On the surface, that sounds like a brilliant plan. A center turn lane makes for a wonderful "rear end" collision deterrent... and Lord knows we've had far too many of those through the years.

That being said, there's more to the "basket case" that is Galena Road, than just the rear end accidents. Additionally, the lay of the land (river, railroad tracks, bluffs) along Galena Road makes it very very difficult to even consider widening it for a center turn lane. Honestly, I thought that the study regarding the center turn lane would show that it really could not be done properly. Then, IDOT might move ahead with lowering the speed limit, and allowing for traffic signal lights to be installed... silly me.

The number one problem along Galena Road, as anyone who is familiar with the situation can easily attest to, is the SPEED of the passing vehicles along the road. But, instead of addressing this number one problem, IDOT has appeared to have come up with a plan that will only make it worse.

This new plan does NOT include the lowering of the speed limit; does NOT include any installation of traffic signal lights; but, with the installation of a center turn lane, almost certainly WILL include the opportunity for the vehicles to go even faster. And, I would wager to say that the rear end accidents we have along the road are directly tied to the excessive SPEED of the vehicles coming up from behind. Lower the speed limit, and I'll virtually guarantee that the rear end accident counts will be significantly lowered... even without a center turn lane.

To those of us who live and work on or near Galena Road, it would seem to be a no-brainer to have the speed limit lowered. Again, the operative word is "seem." Virtually all of the fatalities over the past generation along Galena Road (and there have been more than a few), I believe came as a result of vehicles pulling FROM a side street or business, into the path of a SPEEDING vehicle. Without addressing the speed issues, this plan from IDOT will not do what it should be doing.

Widening Galena Road also will have quite an effect on the houses and businesses on the west side of the road. Some will now have 10-20 ft. retaining walls; others will be losing about half of what is presently in front of their buildings. It's problematic. All for a center turn lane.

We were also asked to pay for the cost of the moving of the water mains. The cost? Likely $2-$3 million dollars! Well, we can't pay that. We don't have it. We do pretty well in revenues, but not well enough to cover that without causing distress in the other areas of the Heights we have to cover... you know, like public safety, street upgrades, silly things like that. In other words, we have to pay towards a project we really didn't ask for, and still have no say in regards to the speed, signal lights, etc. that we desperately NEED for not only safety, but also for any potential commercial upgrades along Galena Road.

The widening also does away with the shoulders on the road. So, without addressing the speeding issues, we now will be expecting those in a broken down vehicle, those delivering mail or packages, to PARK or move very slowly in a through lane, with vehicles approaching from behind at God knows what speed, and... Sounds very dangerous to me. This really might make the potential for rear end collisions even greater.

Before I became mayor, I always wondered why the heck nothing could be done about the problems on Galena Road... why the speed limit couldn't be lowered... why traffic signal lights couldn't be put in... and now I know why. It's a four letter word, and it's IDOT.

I don't like being a "wet blanket." I know that IDOT has put a lot of time, and a lot of tax money into where they are now regarding the plans for Galena Road. But, IDOT also needs to listen to those of us who will be directly impacted by not only their lack of addressing the issues so far, but how their future addressing might be detrimental. Again, however, the operative word is "listen."

IDOT is shooting for a late summer public meeting about this plan. Anyone who has concerns about what I've outlined, please give me a call at 688-6869, and we can discuss it. Maybe this is a plan that the residents will want... but I sort of doubt it. Galena Road, and our inability to get any relief from IDOT regarding its issues, has truly been my biggest headache so far... I hope and pray every day that there is no fatality, or major injury, from a car accident along Galena Road. Because, you see, I really do know about Galena Road. You have to live and/ or work in this area to truly understand it.

I'm pretty sure that no one from IDOT does.

22 comments:

  1. Well written. Participation and input will be imperative at IDOTs upcoming public Summer hearing. The first thing that comes to mind and begs to question, is, What the heck does IDOT have against lowering the traffic speed, if they are?? Or have they said either way?

    Once we know the answer to what the traffic speed will be or can be, (or is this simple Q not-so-simple because of what's called IDOT [government] red-tape?) then we can better assess and decide which way we want to go. Thanks for the heads up.

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  2. I personally feel 45mph is just fine for Galena Road. The problem is that so many people drive 55mph and higher. I can't tell you how many accidents I've witnessed down there, and how many times it was almost me about to be rear-ended.

    Even so, I would not want to see the speed limit lowered, or traffic signals installed. What I would like to see is 24x7 radar! Show those people you don't speed through the Heights and generate a little revenue at the same time. Maybe we could get one of those fancy photo radar units where they get their picture and ticket mailed to them?

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  3. I agree 100% about the problem, been here since 1968 along the cat 500 race track. Another thing we have problems with is the parking on Galena, can't see to get out of our drive ways with all the cars blocking the view up and down the road, worse in the winter months. Bill Koehler

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  4. If no one exceeded 45 MPH, MAYBE it would work, I'm not sure. I really don't see why 35 MPH should be discarded. Galena Road truly is a residential road. IDOT came up with the counter-point that lots of people will still be going 55-60 even if the speed limit is lowered, thus causing more rear-end collisions with those honoring the 35 MPH limit.

    Wrong. Using this argument, there is no reason to have ANY speed limits, because it's inferring that people will drive 55-60 no matter WHAT road they're on. As most folks could tell, this argument holds no water, whatsoever. On top of that, IDOT gave approval to Morton to allow it to lower the speed limit on a section of Rte. 150, in town, from 45 MPH to 35 MPH. If it's okay for Morton, why not us?

    24/7 radar would not work. First, the cost of hiring three new officers, including their benefits, would likely not cover even the increased revenues from tickets. Moreover, when an office has a car pulled over, just watch the other cars as they pass by. They slow down for a block or two, then feeling they're in the clear, they SPEED UP again.

    Let's treat Galena Road like it should have been treated for the past 50 years or more. There are a number of houses along it; several businesses; school buses travel up and down it; constant slow downs and turns being made, when the road is busy (about 15-20% of the time). I don't care if it takes someone an extra 35 seconds to get through Peoria Heights. It's worth it for the safety of our citizens, and the potential for commercial development.

    Thanks for the input from everyone so far.

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  5. Both sides make good points. I do believe that people who have been used to driving 55-60 down Galena for years, won't slow down much if you lower the limit to 35. Not at least until they've got their first ticket. This also does not imply they will drive 55-60 everywhere, so that argument doesn't hold water. You will however create a more dangerous situation for those who are obeying the 35mph.

    It would not be cost effective to run 24x7 radar. But perhaps the purchase of a photo radar unit might be an alternative. If they know it is out there somewhere, they will slow down. The key would be to sufficiently hide it and move it periodically.

    Who remembers the town of Hartsburg Illinois??? They sure new how to handle speeding. Maybe the Heights shoud hire that old cop from down there, if he is still alive. :)

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  6. Outsider here (have a friend who lives in the Heights) so my opinion is worth but a plug nickle, but would like to chime in anyway.

    I think the speed limit should certainly be lowered to 35mph because it is a residential (and business) area in the Village, it's a road that school buses with students travel on, a lower speed would allow for greater interest/viewing of retail and/or commercial companies which could equal more business dollars, cars pulling out onto Galena from a dead stop would be able to so with greater ease, and speed and accidents have been an ongoing problem for many years.

    In my area we have a similar one-way each (two lane) road and it is difficult to always see as you pull out onto it from a dead stop because of parked cars and overgrown brush at corners, and it is 35mph but many drive way too fast so pulling out onto it you take your life in your hands at times and find yourself really having to floor it because some speeder is coming up from behind. I wouldn't even want to imagine if this road was at 45mph because of the abuse of speed already. On our road they installed two stop-signs and one major light, and this has helped -- it's the long stretches without these where speeders speed the most. At the stop light is where they widened the road and added turn signals, then it goes back down to a single-lane-each road.

    I understand there are studies that indicate installing more speed-limit signs just in itself on a roadway can help in reducing speed problems -- especially with an added "speed limit strictly enforced" sign underneath -- and, placing those you-are-clocked-at portable machines that tells the driver how fast they are going as they drive past is also a help. And of course more patrolling officers to enforce the speed limits.

    Regarding Galena losing the road shoulders if the street is widened, that's a problem. And reading that there are bluffs (views) on this road, the shoulders should be kept, not to mention for the reason should a car break down.

    I "vote" that people should slow down, enjoy the scenery a little more and patronize a few more businesses (that they will be able to notice since they won't be speed-demoning down the street).

    I really like this youtube of Grand View Drive:
    http://namethispeorialandmark.blogpeoria.com/category/peoria-heights/
    I can see why it's called "The Worlds Most Beautiful...".

    And Googling Galena I see some of it drives right near the river. A visitor would enjoy this view and would appreciate being able to pull over and stop and take in some of these scenes. Or at the very least, have a slower driving speed in order to take in what you are seeing. I don't know if there are many pull-outs on Galena to do so, or if one can pull over on the shoulder, BUT, I think keeping road shoulders are very important generally, if only for the possibility of a car breaking down.

    Good luck with your road issues and I hope you get that lower speed limit. (I'm a stickler on this subject as I lost a family member years ago, partly - a major part - because of excessive driving speed -- it was a major factor).

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  7. IDOT has lowered speed limits elsewhere, Morton being the latest example that I'm aware of, going from 45 MPH to 35 MPH. Again, I don't know why their argument of "more accidents if we lower the speed limit," for some reason did not apply there. I think if you do a good job of informing the public PRIOR to lowering the speed limit, and maybe even install blinking yellow caution lights above a couple new "35 MPH" signs, it will take hold in the driving public's mind even BEFORE that first ticket. Regardless, I don't think you should a community hostage because some folks don't want to drive slower. In time, it will sink into the driving public's consciousness that they need to go slower on Galena Road through Peoria Heights, and that the speeding ticket will cost them even more when they get caught.

    The alternative is that we keep things the way they are, and that's not acceptable.

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  8. I paid close attention while driving on Galena yesterday. I even slowed my speed to 35. It was pathetic. I also noticed that much of Galena road through the Heights does not have many actual homes, and seems like a majority of the road had open areas (the park, around the nursing home, etc...

    I'm all for the safety of the residents and the drivers on Galena, I just don't think lowering the speed limit is the answer.

    IDOT, who should know more about this subject than any of us, seems to think a center lane is feasibly possible and the best solution. I don't know enough about Route 150 through Morton to say if route 29 through the Heights is comparing apples to apples.

    I still say, get the word out that 29 through the Heights is a huge speed trap, and you will see drivers slow down. Maybe you could even ask for some radar assistance from the State Police or the Sherrif. It just sounds like you have your mind made up on reducing the speed limit, and have blinders on to any other suggestions.

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  9. The blinders very well could be in place, but bear in mind that they're based on living off of Galena Road for the past 27 years; that might qualify me for a better interpretation of what the problems are around here, as opposed to just "paying close attention" during a drive down Galena Road.

    Yes, IDOT SHOULD know better than all of us. You would sure like to think so. However, even professors make mistakes at colleges. Lord knows that a number of Presidents of the United States have made a few dumb moves through the years. I don't know why IDOT should be exempt from that list.

    I'd like to know why the speed limit should NOT be lowered. So that Chillicothe residents can get home sooner? So that the rush of Cat employees can get to Emden sooner? Is 35 seconds worth the problems coming from high speeds? I don't think so.

    It's not rocket science that proves going faster causes more accidents; less reaction time causes more collisions. Again, regardless of what your interpretations of what Galena Road looks like through the Heights, there ARE about 1,500 people living along it. Regardless of what your interpretations were of Galena Road through the Heights, there a NUMBER of houses that empty onto it. Loads of people who live in Galena Park Terrace, all having to come out onto Galena Road when they want to go somewhere.

    As for creating a speed trap, it already is one. Two years ago, there were over 1,200 speeding tickets issued along the road; nearly four a day. We also only have two squad cars per shift normally patrolling the Heights; we don't have the luxury of parking a squad car along the road the whole day and night. It might be hard to believe, but we do have other problems in the Heights. Crime does happen; domestic batteries do occur; drugs pop up now and then. I wish Galena Road was our only problem.

    Besides that, as I pointed out before, I've seen our squad cars pull vehicles over. The passing vehicles slow down for an instant or two... when the perpetrator and the squad car are in the rear view mirror, most all of them SPEED UP again.

    Do me favor the next time you drive down (or up) Galena Road through the Heights. If it's between 6:30-8:30 a.m, or around 3:30-5:30 p.m., pull onto Longshore Drive. Then turn around and come back out. Make a left turn back onto Galena Road (heading south), but be very very careful.

    If the northbound traffic is speeding (and it does quite a bit), it is extremely dangerous, because it's difficult to see them coming. This is the problem with Galena Road. It's not only the vehicles that are already ON it, it's also the ones trying to pull onto it from a side street or driveway.

    Thanks for the input. I have to keep the blinders on, however.

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  10. CONCERNED CITIZENMay 14, 2009 at 9:12 PM

    RE""If it's between 6:30-8:30 a.m, or around 3:30-5:30 p.m., pull onto Longshore Drive. Then turn around and come back out. Make a left turn back onto Galena Road (heading south), but be very very careful.
    If the northbound traffic is speeding (and it does quite a bit), it is extremely dangerous, because it's difficult to see them coming. This is the problem with Galena Road. It's not only the vehicles that are already ON it, it's also the ones trying to pull onto it from a side street or driveway.""
    NO BRAINER IDOT. LOWER THE SPEED. IF THEY STILL DON'T GET THE MESSAGE INSTALL A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. START W/ LONGSHORE. IF THE #%!&* STILL DON'T GET THE MESSAGE PUT IN SPEED BUMPS [sarcasm], FOR GOD SAKE HOW MANY MORE ACCIDENTS ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER THRU AND FOR HOW MANY MORE DECADES

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  11. I would like to comment on the issue of "SPEED" on Galena Rd. through the Heights. I am an emergency services worker, and have been for many years. I have responded to many motor vehicle accidents in that area as well as structure (home) fires both during the day time and night time hours. I will tell you that it is not fun and is VERY VERY dangerous being on any roadway while working an accident scene, especially on an open roadway such as Galena Road. While responding with a Fire Department we do (sometimes) have the luxury of having enough personnel on scene to "spot traffic" for us to keep us somewhat safe. However, the law enforcement personnel, and the drivers pulling out onto Galena Road DO NOT have such a luxury to have a spotter to help them enter onto Galena Road or to stop traffic to let them out. On 68% of the accidents I have responed to on Galena Road, SPEED was a great factor. Not to mention, "MULTI-TASKING". What is "MULTI-TASKING" some of you may ask, well it is; talking texting on your cell phone, eating a Big Mac, putting on make-up, reading the news paper or book, turning around yelling at the kids in the backseat, or whatever "MULTI-TASKERS" do. Ok I will get to the point. Those of you that have a problem of dropping the SPEED on Galena Road please do me a favor. Visit this website and read some of the stories. Not all of the stories are do to "HIGH SPEED" incidents, but they are out there. www.respondersafety.com. And for those of you with anymore doubts about SPEED, the State of Illinois currently has two laws on their books to protect emergency workers hit on the roadway. So all-n-all, "SPEED" does have a huge factor involving "EVERYONE". Please do me one more favor, try leaving 10-15 minutes earlier for your destination and see what happens! These are my own opinions only, I guess becuase I have seen through out the years all the death and destruction of what "SPPED" can do in a motor vehicle crash.

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  12. You know, IDOT will come up with one of their smoke and mirror "studies" to keep anything from being done, in a manner of safety, along Galena Road. Their "studies" show that lowering speed limits causes more accidents. Their "studies" show that installing a traffic signal light causes more accidents. Their "studies" on and on and on and on...

    Here's the facts, IDOT. Lowering speeds WILL lower accidents. Period. Will it take a bit for motorists to understand that the speed limit has been lowered along Galena Road? Maybe. Who cares? They WILL understand if educated, and particularly if they get a ticket for going 25 miles over the speed limit, instead of 15.

    It seems far too easy for our legislators to drink the IDOT Kool-Aid... that's the easy thing to do. What we need are legislators to begin to dissect these "studies" that IDOT seems to have so many of... and yet they STILL have traffic signal lights installed, and they STILL authorize lowering the speed limit along other state highways.

    So, I guess the "studies" mostly apply to Galena Road for some reason. I can't help but think that our commercial growth along Galena Road would be more like Chillicothe's if they would just install traffic signal lights and lower the speed limit... like they've allowed in Chillicothe.

    Oh, I forgot. That's DIFFERENT, right?

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  13. The issue here is clearly a simple matter of respect. Of which, those speeding drivers do not have. Evident by the Emergency Services worker's comments. People rarely pull to the side of the road anymore for emergency vehicles.

    So the question is, how do you get those drivers to respect the speed limit, without punishing the current law abiding citizens?

    If you agree that these folks have no respect, lowering the speed limit will not resolve the issue. It will only punish the citizens who do drive 45mph. It will only create a more dangerous situation for those obeying the limit. Resulting most likely in more, and more serious accidents.

    Nothing says respect like a nice hefty fine from a ticket.

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  14. The problem is that it is impossible to dole out a speeding ticket to every vehicle that speeds through Peoria Heights along Galena Road. For that matter, it's impossible to dole out a ticket to less than 1% of the speeders going through the Village. In the wake of that, is it truly that much of a reward for the law-abiders to go 45 MPH instead of 35 MPH? If so, why? I've already gone over how it's impossible for the Heights to patrol Galena Road 24/7, what with 2 squad cars per shift; and even when we pull one speeder over, the other 500 cars passing by speed up as soon as they see the flashing lights far enough back in the rear view mirror.

    We get back to the 35 seconds saved by the drivers going 35 MPH instead of 45 MPH. Is it truly a "punishment" for the law abiders to go 35 instead of 45? Just because IDOT says so, does it mean that all of the speeders will continue to go 55-65 MPH, even after the speed limit would be lowered to 35 MPH? I really don't think so.

    If the present speed limit had NO bearing on the speeders, they would be going 65-80 MPH along Galena Road, just like they do on the interstates. Granted, some of them already do that, but the VAST majority test the speed limit by going 10-15 MPH over it. So, they are aware of the speed limit being 45 MPH, just like they would be if it were changed to 35 MPH... they just test it based on what the present speed limit signs say.

    I really think that the IDOT argument of "more accidents" if you lower the speed limit is crazy. The driving public will get educated, likely in short order, particularly if we receive some help from the State Police to enforce the new 35 MPH speed limit. The speed limit was lowered, with IDOT's blessing, along Rte. 150 in Morton, from 45 MPH to 35 MPH... do you remember reading about the "horrific" accidents that erupted from that change? I sure don't. As the traffic slows down, from highs of 55-60, to highs of 45-50, we will see a big change in the amount of accidents. You lower the speed, you lower the accidents... in number, and particularly in severity.

    Common sense has to take over at some point. Why is the speed limit 35 MPH through Greenview, IL, along Rte. 29, population 850 (or so), with about 3500 cars passing by each day; and yet it remains at 45 MPH through Peoria Heights, population 6500, and 18,000 cars passing through each day? Why? If 35 MPH is such a horrible thing, why is it fine for Greenview, but not for Peoria Heights?

    It's another example of the hypocrisy of IDOT. Please don't get swept into the same Kool-Aid stand that they've built for our legislators.

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  15. First off, the Heights is NOT Morton. That arguement simply doesn't fly. You are not comparing apples to apples.

    I don't believe it will cause more accidents, but I do believe it won't reduce the number of accidents. The damage invoked by an accident is partially based on the differential in speed between the vehicles. As a previous poster mentioned its about respect. These people who drive on average 10-15 over the speed limit will continue to do so (although there top speed will be reduced). So you will not have changed the speed differential unless a vehicle is completely stopped. But if you look at automobile accident statistics, a car hit at 45mph does not incur much more damage than a car hit at 35mph.

    I can't believe you think tickets by the State Police will do anything. It might in the short term. What about the purchase of one of those photo radar units another poster mentioned? That would be cheaper than higher additional offices and purchasing additional vehicles?

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  16. I have to disagree with you on the Heights-Morton comment. Rte. 150 through Morton gets around 6,000 cars a day; about 1/3 of what Galena Road gets, and STILL the speed limit was lowered by 10 MPH. Your argument would hold up if we were comparing a busier Morton street, but if you're looking at sheer vehicle volume, Galena Road blows Rte. 150 through Morton right off of the IDOT map.

    Regarding the damages to the vehicles, I don't know what you're basing your statement on, but I believe any decent engineer will show that being hit by 10 MPH MORE will provide a good deal more damage to the vehicles involved. On top of that, you can slow down quicker going 35 MPH as opposed to 45 MPH... again, that's common sense. No matter which way you slice it, any vehicle going 10 MPH slower is going to be a safer vehicle to be in.

    Regarding State Police tickets, what I said was any help they could give would help drive the point home that the speed limit is now 35 MPH, as opposed to 45 MPH. I didn't say they were the end-all, be-all. Nothing is the end-all, be-all in anything, particularly traffic control. But, anything done in a positive fashion does HELP, and that's all we're asking for.

    The photo-radar units mentioned are not even available to muncipalities. I'm assuming the previous poster was describing the set-up (usually in a stationary van/vehicle) that the State Police have, which will photograph the license plates of speeding vehicles. My understanding is that there are only a few in use within Illinois, all by the State Police, and basically in the Chicago area only.

    It's an item you can't just order, even if you have the money. And, once again, my understanding is that they cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and are not even 100% accurate in what they accomplish... in other words, speeders still get by, and people who aren't speeding end up getting tickets sent out. If you have any other information that negates that, let me know. It'd be a grand idea... if it works, if it's available, and if it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

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  17. 35 or 45 makes no difference to me but if it is not the end all be all, then why bother with lowering the speed limit and go with IDOT's idea of a turn lane? Really sounds like that would be safer than lowering the speed limit. If they say it can be done, then they should know.

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  18. Mainly because the turn lane will cause some major problems to our businesses and residents on the west side, will cost approximately $35 million, and will likely cause speed to increase even more.

    The majority of the accidents along Galena Road are speeding related, and less than 1/3 of them are rear-enders. The people who have been killed on Galena Road, through the years, to the best of my recollection, were hit while pulling from a side street into the path of a speeding vehicle. And, likely the majority of the rear ender accidents through the years could have been avoided if the vehicle in back had been going slower.

    If you need more information than that, please read through the initial posting and all of the responses along the way. A center turn lane without lowering the speed, and without installing one or two traffic signals will only exacerbate the speeding problem. That's what we want addressed; and IDOT, so far, refuses to do so.

    Thanks for the input.

    One other thing... assuming IDOT knows best about streets going through municipalities is assuming way too much. I've been logging all of the inconsistencies along the state routes on my travels as of late... how IDOT's take on what should be, and can't be, done along Galena Road has no relation whatsoever with how they've handled other state routes going through cities and towns throughout the state... more on that later.

    Again... assume nothing. Particularly regarding IDOT's policies.

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  19. I hope common sense will prevail with a reduced speed for safety. Long overdue indeed.

    Mayor, I'm glad you are logging some of the inconsistencies with State routes. We can too on our travels and I hope it will help.

    Other towns that are able to get their speed limit lowered makes me wonder what hoops they have/had to jump through?

    Besides voicing our opinion at the hearing, is there other avenues.. ..letters to IDOT, ballet or petition measure that you think might [help to] get the ball rolling?

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  20. I'm reasonably certain that any letter to IDOT will end up in their trash bin... probably half-opened. Petitions were previously sent to the former Governor, who pretty much sand-bagged the whole issue (what a surprise), and threw it back over to IDOT, and... and... well, you get the idea.

    I sent a few letters to the former Governor, without even a form letter response. Again, no big surprise. I am going to send letters to the new Governor, in hopes that someone high up has some of that elusive "common sense" that we so desperately need.

    This entire issue of Galena Road is really frustrating. Our closest elected officials seem more interested in saying "IDOT is GOD" than questioning IDOT's true lack of judgment skills involving the problems along Galena Road. I'll keep doing what I can to keep the issue in the forefront, and at least in some circles. I appreciate the positive feedback, and continue to hope that at some time, more sensible minds will prevail on the IDOT-scape.

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  21. Might as well lower War Memorial down to 35 as well. Lots of accidents at Prospect & War drive.

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  22. Can't say I disagree with you there, but there is a difference in that there are a number of traffic signal lights along War Memorial to slow traffic (somewhat) along the way. Accidents are going to happen, no matter what, particularly at one of the busiest intersections in the area (War Memorial and Prospect). Accidents will continue to happen along Galena Road, even if the speed limit was lowered to 35 MPH... even if a couple of traffic signals were installed... but, they would not be as violent, nor as many.

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