Let's pretend that a guy, coming from Caterpillar Mossville and heading home to Mount Pulaski, is going 45 MPH as he goes through the Heights, along Galena Road. I know that's a stretch, but this is a game of "pretend," after all.
There is 1.8 miles of Galena Road through Peoria Heights. There is 1 mile of Galena Road at the south end of Peoria Heights, in Peoria, from the Village limits to the McCluggage Bridge. There is approximately a half mile north of the Village limits, in Peoria, that would have to be changed from 35 MPH, then graduated to 45 MPH, until it hits the 55 MPH limit just north of Gardner Lane.
That is 3.3 miles of Galena Road that we would like to have changed to 35 MPH. Let's round it up to 3.5 miles, just to be safe.
According to my Radio Shack calculator, it will take the Mount Pulaski dude 4.67 minutes to drive this 3.5 mile distance, IF he is going 45 MPH. Don't ask me how I calculated it... I'm just fairly certain that it is correct.
Now, if the Mount Pulaski dude is going 35 MPH, over the same 3.5 mile distance, it will take him... get ready for this... SIX WHOLE MINUTES to go the same distance. That is an increase of an additional 1.33 minutes to go the same distance. Now, I don't know about the Mount Pulaski dude, but I'm reasonably certain I can afford that much time out of my day. Alright, multiply it by two, for a trip TO work, and the trip BACK home. We are now at an additional 2.66 minutes, which really comes out to two minutes 40 seconds. For the round trip.
And, obviously if there is a traffic signal light, and the Mount Pulaski dude hits it wrong, it might add another 15-30 seconds to the trip. Each way. We're now looking at a horrendous additional three minutes or so, up to three minutes and 15 seconds or so. Round trip. I'm not sure how the Mount Pulaski dude will deal with it; I'm sure it would be soul-shattering to have to spend that additional three minutes or so, behind the steering wheel.
He might be so frazzled that he will need to stop and pick up a six pack, to take home of course, at the new gas station/convenient store, that could now be located along Galena Road.
I have been reading for years how residents who live off of Galena have had to change their day to day lives and schedules so they aren't subjected to the dangerous and deadly speeding traffic from lawbreakers. To add insult to injury, there are school bus stops along this road where speeding laws are constantly broken! Unacceptable! Keep up the good work, mayor Allen.
ReplyDeleteQuestion. What about stop signs? If IDOT is dragging their feet with lowering the speed and installing traffic signals -- could stop signs be installed? As someone who wants to tourist the Heights,I find it unbelievable that we are all being put off. I would like to experience this bluff road in safety.
And major points to you for trying to build the economy. Absolutely a civilized road will do just that. Nothing is worse than not being welcome on a road some have seen fit to turn it rogue.
What about a 'school crossing' sign with a cross walk put in to slow that puppy down? In my state they legally slowed a problem road down that way. Even though the school wasn't right there it is considered a path crossing
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we cannot put a sign up of ANY type without IDOT approval. I can guarantee you, without question, that a stop sign would not be allowed. And, without a school actually being on the road, a sign saying there was one nearby certainly would not be allowed, either. Good ideas, but IDOT has complete control over Galena Road. A traffic signal would be the best option, I think, as it could stay green for Galena Road traffic until cross traffic would trip it to red.
ReplyDeleteIn my travels all over the state, I've never found any other town/city/village with anything even resembling our basket case "state highway." IDOT continues to treat it as though it is a rural highway, but it's evolved into an urban street. IDOT does not seem to be aware that it's no longer 1940 around here.
Thanks for checking in and your inputs.
Thanks for keeping on top of this, it's important. I've seen a map of Galena and what I can remember there is the river, some land to the left, then Galena, then land. And Galena is closest to the river from the south and veers away from it to the north west. So if it had the same senario as the problem road in ca, if any school age residents live between the river and Galena, and the school was on the other side of the state hwy Galena, they would have to provide a safe crossing. I agree mayor Allen there should be traffic signals that would be green until cross traffic trips it red. Exactly! I saw an article somewhere, perhaps pjstar, that the Village trustees voted 6 - 0 ... something to do with all agreeing about this Galena traffic and speed problem. Whatever it takes and however long, this has to be fixed. If I was a resident who took my life in my hand venturing out on to Galena every morning and night I would raise holy hell to the powers that be for a change. In fact I would be willing to pay more taxes to have it patroled for speed demons.
ReplyDeleteSo the Mt Pulaski dude can spare six minutes! And pick up some root beer on the way home in the upcoming store! Best of luck and safety, Mayor, and to the Heights. May you never let up on this issue and may IDOT see the light. Signals.
ReplyDeleteCan't help but agree with Mark on this one. Living on Galena Road for over 20 years, I have been involved in a couple of accidents. I would have been involved in at least a dozen more but I floored my vehicle to give the speeder behind me room to stop. Missed my turn but I'm still alive. Cars average 10 to 20 miles or more over the speed limit. This was verified by IDOT in there review of the Galena Road traffic patterns. Keep up the fight Mark, I only hope IDOT finally listens.
ReplyDelete