What We're Trying to Avoid

Thank you to the Journal Star and reporter Scott Hilyard for helping to bring the Galena Road issues to the public at large. We have a long ways to go, as IDOT is involved, but this is a strong start. I will repeat again what the letter I received from IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig pretty much said.

IDOT cannot lower the speed limit on Galena Road because the traffic is speeding.

Yes, that's right.

Of all the stupid excuses I've heard from IDOT so far, this one takes the cake. And, everyone who works under Sec. Hannig has repeated the same inept reason.

Well, as usual, IDOT is talking out of both sides of its collective mouth. Check out the following website, in memory of a young mother, killed along an IDOT road in LaGrange, IL.

http://www.cookfamilyfund.com/index.php?limitstart=27


This is what we're trying to avoid. We've had more than enough bad accidents and fatalities along Galena Road. What this article shows is that IDOT might act AFTER the horrific fact; AND that they will lower the speed limit along a road where speeding is occurring.

Revelations? Not really. I've found a good many contradictions so far, and I'm not very adept at surfing the internet... but, I'm learning.

This will all come to a head in relatively short order. We have to get our elected officials, from the Governor on down to understand what our issues are along Galena Road BEFORE someone else gets seriously injured or killed. For once, let's all be proactive instead of reactive.

Are you listening, IDOT?


(Oh, and even though it's not part of this website, it should be noted that IDOT ok'd the lowering of the speed limit along 47th St., from 35 MPH to 30 MPH; a scant three months or so after the accident. It can be done on Galena Road... and should be as quickly as possible.)

Comments are Getting Lost

I had a comment the other day, regarding the Galena Road situation. When I posted it on, it disappeared. I don't know what the problem is, but there is a problem. I doubt that I will be able to figure it out on my own, but I shall try.

Rte. 29 & Chillicothe

First, I don't expect Rte. 29 to be treated the exact same way through Peoria Heights as it is in Chillicothe. But, I expect it to be pretty darned close. I understand that Chillicothe was very much an established town well before the state highway system came about. That being said, it's good to bear in mind the following:

Speed limit on Rte. 29 through Chillicothe: Starts at 45 MPH at the city limits, goes to 40 MPH; then down to 35 MPH; then down to 30 MPH.

Number of traffic signal lights in Chillicothe: Three. (I'm pretty sure of that).

Estimated population of Chillicothe: 5,800

Average # of vehicles along Rte. 29 in Chillicothe per day: South of Chillicothe - 15,000 North of Chillicothe - 8,300 (Note: 18,000 through Peoria Heights each day)

What sort of commercial development and pedestrian/vehicular safety would be in place if the speed limit was 45 MPH all the way through Chillicothe, with constant speeding upwards of 55-60 MPH? Here's a wild guess... probably not very good.

At one time, a number of years ago, Galena Road in Peoria Heights was, for all intent and purpose, a rural road. Times have changed; IDOT has not. Galena Park Terrace arrived a number of years ago... OSF Nursing Home... houses on Terrace Court... Terrace View Lane... St. Jude Court... Forest Park Apartments. What probably once was around 200 residents has blossomed into 2,000 residents on and directly off of Galena Road, over the past 35-75 years or so. It's time to make those changes, IDOT. Treating an URBAN road as if it is an interstate has gotten very, very old... and very, very dangerous.

Chicken or the Egg?

The age-old question as to which came first, one might think, would apply to the potential commercialization of Galena Road in Peoria Heights. What comes first? Slowing traffic down and stopping it at certain spots; or does a major gas station and/or restaurant?

When it comes to Galena Road in Peoria Heights, it's a matter of the chicken or the drumstick.

The "chicken" here is the slowing of traffic; the installation of traffic signal lights.

The "drumstick" is the business growth along Galena Road.



Consider what would have happened in Chillicothe; in Metamora; in Henry; (amongst many others which I will post on in the near future); if the state routes had been allowed by IDOT to be what IDOT has allowed (even encouraged) in Peoria Heights. How many businesses would have located along the state routes in the above communities if there were no traffic signal lights; if traffic was routinely going 55-65 MPH during the heavy traffic hours?

IDOT has allowed Galena Road to become virtually an interstate during the peak hours in Peoria Heights, without the benefits of safe exits. And, it infuriates me that they will not consider what problems their "lack of warrants" have caused.

Accidents; injuries; deaths; no solid commercial development. We HAVE to have increased safety for the residents along Galena Road in the Heights; we HAVE to have increased commercial development along an URBAN street that has 18,000 cars passing through each weekday.

I'll beat this dead horse until it finally awakens the hierarchy of IDOT, even if it's by its stench.
As I wrote to the Secretary of IDOT recently, their handling (or lack of handling) of the problems on Galena Road is utter madness.

We'll have to stay on IDOT and our elected officials regarding Galena Road and its issues like Jeff Todd on a dribbling point guard.

In other words... VERY TIGHTLY.

More IDOT Tidbits

Average number of vehicles on Galena Road per day: 18,000

Average number of vehicles along Rte. 116 in Metamora per day: 11,300

Approximate population living along Galena Road in Peoria Heights: 2,000

Approximate population of Peoria Heights: 6,500

Approximate population of Metamora: 2,800


Speed limit along Galena Road in Peoria Heights: 45 MPH

Speed limit along Rte. 116 in Metamora: Starts at 45 MPH, goes down to 30 MPH
Majority is 35 MPH

Lanes of travel along Galena Road in Peoria Heights: 4

Lanes of travel along Rte. 116 in Metamora: 5

Special note: For those of you who haven't been through Metamora lately, there is no bluff along one side of the Rte. 116, and there are no railroad tracks running parallel to Rte. 116 through town; so, a fifth lane was able to be made without wiping out businesses and homes along the route.

Commercial development along Galena Road in Peoria Heights: Rather marginal. No gas stations, even with the high traffic count.

Commercial development along Rte. 116 in Metamora: Restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, etc.


Once more, for those of us trying to make sense of the facts above, it's really quite simple. The speed limit is too high along Galena Road; there is a need for traffic control signals due to the lack of the fifth lane, and also the number of people who LIVE along and off of Galena Road, who might want to get out onto the road in one piece.

One thing for certain: IDOT is consistent with being inconsistent, in regards to how the speed limits and such are affixed to communities.

Concrete Does Not Always A Park Make

A few problems with the concreting in of Tower Park which was done several years ago, under the previous administration.

First, of course, the cost. Pretty pricey. The whole concept took over $780,000.00 of Village money. The concrete costs were roughly around $300,000.00.

Second, it makes it awfully hot in the summer. Mr. Carter apparently wasn't aware of it, but trees produce shade; and shade produces lower temperatures in it. The lies about the trees being dead, and all that rot, is just that... lies. Many of those trees that dropped huge limbs during the ice storm of around 2001 or so, were Chinese Elms. They're like weeds. We have one in our front yard, and it has dropped huge limbs through the years during terrible storms. The tree always comes back without any difficulty. Here's a clue... dropping limbs does not cause trees to die. In Mr. Carter's world... maybe. But, for the rest of us in reality, it doesn't happen that way. Besides, let's pretend that the fairy tale of the "trees being dead," as written by the Peoples Party hierarchy was true. Would that have stopped them from planting NEW trees? No, wait... I forgot. When large limbs fall from trees after a horrific ice storm, the soil becomes contaminated too, right?

Third, it's Illinois. Concrete cracks. Quite easily. It costs money to maintain, as opposed to the relatively low costs of maintaining grass. For example, with the concrete being of the stamped variety, its surface is very smooth, and very difficult to get sealant to be absorbed into it. Several years ago, the concrete at Tower Park had been sealed, and with just a bit of icy glaze on it, it was virtually not walkable. I slipped a few times, almost fell, and I can just imagine what it was like for those with a cane or a walker. Dangerous.

Now, because we have to salt the entrance area going into the rear of Village Hall, the cracks have turned into rubble, and a long stretch will have to be repaired or replaced. The cost will exceed $6,000.00. That's a lot of mowings.

I apologize once more for beating the dead horse around and around the Village, but it continues to serve as an example of the "loosey-goosey" spending habits of Mr. Carter back in the day.

But, of course, that's different.