A few months ago, a flyer appeared on my door concerning a proposed traffic plan for the 19th ward. I visited the web site (link above) mentioned on the flyer and was stunned to see 3 levels of major changes ward-wide.
The potential effect of the proposed changes (at the 2 more invasive levels) would be extreme, very much like the rat-maze effect in the north end of the ward (from 89th to 95th, from Western east to the Metra tracks), putting the brunt of incoming traffic from major streets on a small handful of blocks.
I have asked some of my neighbors about their opinions on the plan. They had never gotten the flyer and were not aware of the plan. They were extremely upset that a plan that would have such a significant impact on traffic flow and quality of life in the neighborhood could be proposed without proper notice to ALL residents of the ward.
For example, the 9500 blocks of Damen and Leavitt would bear all incoming traffic from 95th St. under the more extreme levels of the plan. This would be a significant increase in traffic, noise and pollution for these 2 blocks, and would certainly have a negative impact on quality of life and property values on these blocks.
Cul de sacs, mid-intersection circles, and cross-intersection diverters are not the answer to our traffic problems. IMO, the biggest issue is speeding. Raised crosswalks, curb bump-outs and more police writing tickets would be more effective and less invasive.
Is this the private fiefdom of Ginger Rugai or a democracy? The
residents of the 19th ward should decide whether their streets will be
turned into a human-scale rat maze.
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