Oswego hires engineering firm to plan for downtown traffic signals

It apparently took a fatality to open their eyes, but after years of pleading with the Illinois Department of Transportation to install traffic signals at two key downtown Oswego intersections, village officials may see their wishes granted.

The village has been asking for traffic signals at the intersection of Washington and Main streets since 1997, but have failed to meet IDOT warrants for the signals. IDOT owns and maintains Washington Street (Route 34) through the village.

That situation seems to have changed following the death of Beverly Zanko, 79, who was killed last October as she crossed Washington Street near Adams Street and was fatally struck by an SUV.

"The spirit of negotiation (with IDOT) happened after the fatality," Village Administrator Dan DiSanto said. "I do think a traffic signal is the ultimate answer. Thriving downtowns have signals on every block. It slows down traffic, but gets people across perfectly safely. At the end of January, IDOT said, 'We're listening to you. Here's your path to getting a signal. Now we finally have an open door to do that."

On Tuesday, June 18, village board members unanimously agreed to open that door a bit wider. They hired Christopher B. Burke Engineering LTD to conduct a study to determine the necessity and impact of installing signals at Washington and Main streets and Washington and Harrison streets.

Despite flashing beacons and a 20 mph speed limit, as well as increased police patrols, the intersections remain a big concern for residents who have complained about difficulties in crossing the four lanes on Washington Street.

The engineering study will look at current conditions, future conditions of development, as well as look at how the signals would impact traffic in the full corridor. The company would also hold public meetings to see if community supports traffic signals.

The engineering for the signals at Main and Harrison Streets is complex due to the proximity to signals at Madison Street, Route 31, and the railroad crossing. Each of these needs to interact and ensure that intersections can clear when trains approach. The intersections would also need to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"The lights will slow traffic down, and IDOT's mission is to move cars as fast as possible. Oswego has a different mission, so there's going to have to be a compromise," DiSanto said.

Within the next two to three months, public meetings are expected to be scheduled to gather input from residents and the downtown business community. The purpose is to gauge public support for alternative improvements for pedestrians that may increase delays for drivers.

Until changes can be made at the intersection, the village is encouraging pedestrians to cross at the designated crosswalks at Harrison and at Main. Drivers are asked to be alert to pedestrians when downtown and not rely on the activation of the flashing pedestrian signs alone.

Pedestrians and drivers are also reminded of general precautions, like making eye contact if possible, and avoiding distractions like cell phones.

Drivers must also adhere to the 20 mph speed limit through downtown.

"Our goal is to push this through as quickly as possible," said Public Works Director Jennifer Hughes. "This is our best hope in getting IDOT to place a signal."