Community meeting set on Downtown Edgebrook traffic issues

by BRIAN NADIG

A community meeting on Downtown Edgebrook traffic issues will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Edgebrook Clubhouse, 6100 N. Central Ave.

“With seven traffic signals and three railroad crossings, the ‘Edgebrook Crossing’ is one of the most heavily congested traffic areas in all of Illinois,” said Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th).

aurino is hosting the meeting along with Alderman Anthony Napolitano (41st) and the city Department of Transportation.

Laurino said that input on how to relieve the congestion and to improve overall traffic flow and safety will be sought at the meeting. Over the years residents have complained about railroad crossing gate malfunctions, sometimes due to a power outage, which snarl traffic at the Devon-Central-Caldwell intersections for hours.

Residents also have expressed concerns about traffic delays caused by freight trains traveling through the area and trains blocking Devon when passengers are being dropped off at the Edgebrook Metra Station, 5438 W. Devon Ave. About 20 years ago there was a proposal to build a new station, with more parking adding to the north along Lehigh Avenue, but community opposition halted the project.

In other news, Napolitano has announced that a $75,000 county grant will be used to install shared bike lanes and other improvements in the Edgebrook business district.