Hinsdale Village Board approves four-way stop at Garfield and First

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:48AM

The Hinsdale Village Board unanimously approved the installation of a four-way stop signs at Garfield Avenue and First Street.

Traffic going both east and west on First Street have had stop signs at Garfield, while Garfield traffic has not had stop signs going either northbound or southbound.

However, after doing a traffic survey at the intersection, the Hinsdale Police Department recommended the installation of additional stop signs to make it a four-way stop intersection. The village’s Zoning and Public Safety Committee heard and reviewed the department’s recommendation Monday and voted to give its recommendation.

The pedestrian crossing at the intersection is used by Hinsdale Middle School students, shoppers and merchants in the village’s downtown area, and commuters.

The Police Department initiated its traffic study following a recent crash involving a pedestrian, who was not seriously hurt, and receiving several requests from residents, seeking the installation of a four-way stop sign, said Police Chief Brad Bloom.

Data collected indicated the number of crashes in the intersection and necessary traffic volume have not been sufficient to warrant the installation of a four-way stop, based on standards used by the village.

However, police still recommended installation because the location has sight obstructions that are not correctable and because of an increased pedestrian use that peaks during times at which crashes have taken place.

Bloom said the study showed the installation of a four-way stop sign would likely address the uncorrectable sight obstructions, making the intersection safer and preventing additional accidents. He noted in three of the past five crashes at Garfield and First, sight obstructions were a noted factor.

Despite voting in favor of the four-way stop sign, Trustee Doug Geoga first questioned the action because of the insufficient number of accidents and traffic count, and because sight obstructions often are the result of illegally-parked delivery vehicles. In the end, Geoga supported the recommendation of the Police Department.

Police are concerned with the potential for southbound traffic on Garfield to back up on the railroad right of way. They said there is no way to accurately predict the impact a four-way stop on the tracks so they would monitor the situation.

Along with installation of the four-way stop signs, police also have recommended “Stop Ahead’ signs to be posted on the northbound approach of Garfield, just south of the hill on the 100 South block of Garfield, to advise motorists of the stop intersection in advance of the hill; and installation of pedestrian advance warning signs on both the southbound and northbound approaches to warn motorists of the presence of pedestrians ahead.

Bloom said the new stop signs should be installed within the next two weeks.