So far, so good for new four-way stop in Hinsdale

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Drivers of vehicles traveling southbound on Garfield Avenue wait for their turn to cross First Street. The intersection was turned into a four-way stop Feb. 1. Previously, only vechiles traveling on First Street had to stop at Garfield. | Chuck Fieldman~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 11, 2012 8:13AM

The first week of having four-way stop signs at Garfield Avenue and First Street has gone by without any problems.

Police Chief Brad Bloom said he has received positive feedback from residents who believe the intersection if safer with the four-way stop signs in place.

Deputy Police Chief Mark Wodka said officers have observed good compliance by drivers in stopping at the intersection. Previously, traffic going both eastbound and westbound on First Street had stop signs at Garfield, while Garfield traffic had no 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 recommendation was approved by the Village Board.

The 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 multiway stop sign, Bloom said.

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

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

Police were concerned with the potential for southbound traffic on Garfield to back up on the railroad right-of-way, but that hasn’t been a problem, Wodka said. He said police will continue to monitor the situation.

Flashing red lights are attached to the new stop signs for traffic on Garfield.

“The flashing lights usually are kept for two months with the installation of a four-way stop,” Wodka said. “We’ll keep them there until we feel it’s safe to remove them.”