Story posted Friday, January 22, 2010
City Forming Policy For Traffic Control Devices
By TIM O'CONNOR Journal & Topics Reporter
The City of Des Plaines may soon allow residents to petition for speed humps and traffic circles to slow down cars traveling through neighborhoods.
Tim Oakley, director of Public Works and Engineering, said the city is considering a Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy, which would establish a review process for proposed traffic-calming devices, such as speed humps, mini circles, and striping.
"We need a policy in place in order to make a recommendation that's consistent throughout the city," Oakley said.
He said there have been problems in the past where one residential block gets traffic-calming devices but a similar block does not. The city receives about six requests each year for new traffic-calming devices.
The proposed process will ask residents to get signatures in support of a traffic-control device from 50% of the people living on the block. A study will then be done to measure the impact of the device and a recommendation will be made. Oakley said this process would ensure that most residents in the area want the traffic-calming device and that possible increases in traffic on adjacent streets is considered.
While the city would pay for all signage, design, and maintenance, residents would have to pay for initial construction expenses. Oakley said that could cost between $2,500 and $5,000 for a speed hump and between $5,000 and $20,000 for a traffic circle.
The Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy will be before the City Council during their Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on Feb. 16.
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