Journal & Topics Media Group

Traffic Congestion Adds New Concerns For East River Road Development


Traffic issues surrounding a proposed 39-unit, single-family home development in unincorporated Des Plaines are keeping local residents concerned about their neighborhood’s future.

According to Mary Cameron, a resident of the unincorporated area, congestion in the one-block stretch from the I-294 off-ramp to the traffic light at East River and Golf, just south of the project area, is already terrible. A residential development will only serve to make it “unimaginable,” she said.

The 6.5-acre property at 300 N. East River Rd. is currently vacant and does not generate traffic. Previously, it was commercial property owned by United Stationers and contained an office building.

“You can wait for three or more lights and not even move,” Cameron said of the off-ramp traffic during rush hour. Most motorists decide to make a U-turn and head back north to Central Road, she said.

A traffic study of the area, completed by traffic analysis firm KLOA, backed up Cameron’s statements.

“It is noted that queuing and delay occurs on southbound East River Road between Golf Road and the I-294 exit ramp,” KLOA said.

It also estimates the development would add an additional 37 cars onto East River every morning and an additional 45 every evening during peak hours.
In the study, KLOA gave the East River/I-294 off-ramp a “C” to “F” rating for its level of service to commuters. However, the firm concluded the development would only increase traffic two percent on East River, and did not represent an additional burden.

Cameron has doubts.

“There have been people killed on East River Road,” she said. “It’s just going to make things even worse, and possibly cause major accidents.”

Apart from blockades from the off-ramp, a lack of proper sidewalks and sight lines at the railroad tracks to the north also make the street dangerous for pedestrians, Cameron said.

“People have to walk down East River Road on the small shoulder on the street,” she said. “They have to walk on the street because of snow or no sidewalks,” and cross the I-294 egress to catch Golf Road buses.

Motorists making their way south on East River cross the Union Pacific freight tracks at too high an elevation to see traffic on the other side, said Cameron, adding that issue could cause fender-benders.

“You’re either stuck on the railroad or hitting other cars,” she said. “It’s a no-win, yet they are going ahead.”

Des Plaines aldermen Monday night again voted to postpone a final reading on the project’s Planned Unit Development, as well as an annexation agreement to make the land part of the city. It was previously deferred at the Nov. 6 meeting.

Earlier this month, other residents voiced their opposition to the development claiming construction would destroy around 60 mature oak trees. Ald. John Robinson (2d) said Monday he would work on establishing a tree-saving ordinance in the city in light of the complaints.

Ald. Carla Brookman (5th) suggested deferring a decision so aldermen and developers could have more time to discuss the project with residents, as construction cannot begin until spring.  Her motion passed (5-3) with aldermen Dick Sayad (4th), Denise Rodd (3d) and Mark Lysakowski (1st) opposed.

“Postponing this thing is really ridiculous,” said Sayad. “We’ve talked about this, it’s been discussed.”

“It may severely surprise you to hear I agree with everything you just said,” Mayor Matt Bogusz told Sayad, though the mayor did not vote.

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