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.
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