I happened upon this web site http://www.wheels.ca/feature/left-turn-lights-a-sign-of-the-nanny-state/ It is from Canada but then many of the common sense articles about city road planning seems to come from there. Anyway in the article which was more about using stoplights than about stop signs or road manipulation. Anyway I took this paragraph and this is pretty much the feeling I have.
Now, I’m all for safety, but when you prohibit drivers from performing a routine, basic, fundamental driving maneuver (left turn) there will be a backlash. The dedicated turn lights infuriated drivers who now couldn’t proceed when through traffic had the green and it was perfectly safe to turn.
If you have not looked into statistics of accidents at that location, if safety is your main concern, maybe you need to have IDOT change or check into the Detectors located on 251.
27 comments:
A basic function of life is the ability to turn left? Are you kidding? This is the type of reasoning that makes all of us grateful that the city had actual professionals work on a solution for the intersection backup at 251 A couple of people went to Dairy Queen for lunch and came up with a different plan?
8:42AM
Have you forgotten already that the mayor states his plan is working because he went to lunch at Mia Margarita and he could see the business across the street was very busy. At least the DQ is closer to the problem and has a better view of the intersection.
I went to Jalepenos and the intersection works great. Food was good also.
Did the infrastructure committee discuss the change?
The infrastructure committee no longer exists. This committee was only used by Mayor Harl to push the road program through. I do have to admit that there was a lot of knowledge on the infrastructure committee that is lacking on the public works committee. Do we have to pay the Chamlin engineers when they come to the public works committee?
Heard on the radio that Chamlin performed another study on the turnaround count in the Hobby Lobby parking lot. 1/3?? Wonder what the bill will be for that study? Out of towners will keep right on driving through next time.
Saw on a tweet from Perez that another traffic survey will be done on Saturday by him and a few volunteers. Maybe we can get an accurate count on the reality of what is really happening at that intersection on a day and time that matters. Chamlin did one on a Monday late afternoon? Really? And used city workers? Were they paid also?
Come on already!!!!
If you need help Rodney I should be available.
City workers on OT? Chamlin paying the city back? Did chamlin consider that some people take an hour to eat at the restaurants in his one hour study? Especially when he performed his study at dinner time when employees go to work for the evening shift and restaurant patrons get off work and go out to eat? Did chamlin consider the fact that some people checked into hotels and that might be why they didn't drive out within his hour study? oops! Bet some of those guests really missed out on the scenic view of the backs of retail warehouses and cornfields; the pride of peru. Did Chamlin consider that some people might be doing some serious shopping at Target? Did Chamlin consider that it takes more than a few minutes to research a construction project at Home Depot? Did Chamlin consider how larger vehicles would gain access north on venture drive coming from 80 to 51 to Venture Drive? My car barely makes the hairpin turn to DQ. Especially if the tourist is not even familiar with the area? Did Chamlin consider how many times he could bill the city for the same design problem issue over and over and over and over and over and over and over.... again??? Almost bet your sweet a55 he did. Did IDOT initiate this recent research project/traffic study or did someone get bored and need to think of ways to spend more money? major traffic backups? when? I am a saturday morning shopper and trust me, it takes less time to sit at the light vs going all the way around venture drive. not worth the wait and hassle anymore. Did chalin not think that the traffic would do u turns on private property when making their highly intelligent traffic flow decision? Oops, pinch of an oversight? Did Chamlin consider that we now have back up issues coming from the west to 51? Can't get out of the hobby lobby parking lot now. have to wait for all the cars to decide how to get out of the mouse maze. OMG, i can just imagine how many accidents will happen in the winter as those u turns are going on in the bank parking lot and hobby lobby. Now there's a video for you tube. Wonder if the insurance companies from those PRIVATE businesses like have their roads used an approved public thoroughfare.
Do I sound a little radical? Probably. I just can't believe how stupid and how little common sense went into this undesired change? People actually get paid to think up this stuff for the public good? I need to change professions. I feel sorry for any business on venture drive that opened their retail establishments based on the fact that shoppers would have easy access to their business. Oops. I wouldn't count on that anymore. Wonder what the city will take away from you next? Big advertising signs? weight restrictions on the roads? Vehicle class types? Kind of like no semi's on lake shore drive? I feel for you consumer and business owner.
WELL SAID !!!
Will Ald. Fife be giving out tickets on Saturday along with the traffic study? Anon 9:57 your comments are not radical they are bizzarro!
The next road issue Peru will encounter will be Plaza Drive(the road in front of HyVee, Bdubs, Pizza Hut.) Again, one way in, and one way out. It appears that the city does not take into consideration future progress on these roads and intersections.
Bizzaro? Go take a look at the traffic zoo up on venture drive. Count the number of complaints to the City of Peru Facebook page. Now that's bizarre. The city created a situation that promotes dangerous turnabouts on private property and doesn't allow for full size vehicles to access Venture drive conveniently. Not a very well thought out process if you ask me.
By the way, does anybody really know why this intersection change was requested? By who? Why? Accidents? Complaints? IDOT initiate? Or is the City finally catching up with traffic issues from years ago. Just a little FYI secret - Walmart moved north. It's not that busy anymore at that particular intersection. P.S. Just had an acquaintance from out of town tell me that she went to target over the weekend and couldn't figure out how to get out back to I80. She said "what dumb-ass changed the intersection?" I answered her.
The city is reactive when it comes to infrastructure. Who created and designed the pond that occurs when we get rain east of Wendy's? How many cars go underwater at the dealerships east of the mall. Big oops??
I just went to DQ and after having a cone I went driving around in a circle for 45 minutes. After that it was lunchtime and I went into Steak and Shake for lunch. After getting out of Steak and Shake I went around in a circle for another 45 minutes. I then pulled into Home Depot and bought a new kitchen and then went back into the circle for another hour. Yes, it was dinnertime and you guessed it, dinner at the Chinese buffet. Then back to the circle and I finally got out and went to the local realtor to buy a home in Peru. The new stripping made me wonder why anybody would want to leave your town.
2:33PM
Last night I noticed a large sign in the bank parking lot, something like Don't Turn Around Here, we really were not close enough to read it exactly but then I guess most people who turned around in the bank lot couldn't/didn't read it either even though they had to drive right by it in order to turn around.
Did not see many cars going west on 38th but lots of variations of turn arounds on the road and in both lots in order to head back east.
I guess Chamlin would attribute it to a bunch of slow learners. I'm sorry but when you watch this, it is hard not to laugh.
Now I want to know who talked who into this intersection plan. I hope I get my FOIA information soon, I'm getting impatient.
I wonder why the cars are allowed to turn left into the mall? If you seal off the entire mall entrance/exit drivers could use the one a couple hundred feet west to enter and exit. Then this problem intersection might get away with being a simple three way stop sign. Of course they probably studied that and shot it down.
Lois, does it matter who talked who into the plan? What do you hope to accomplish? What are you going to do Impeach Harl? Fire Chamlin? Get rid of Illinois Department of transportation? Its not Watergate! Full investigation from the Attorney General? Lets get back to fireworks. Who wants more aerials or more ground displays?
4:24 PM
Yes it does matter who devised this plan. I know it is not IDOT that drew it up but that they did give it their OK. Sorry I want to know whom I should give credit to for this plan.
Again it is taxpayer money perhaps spent on a boondoggle. I am sure that more of it will be spent for multiple corrections, more signs and more stripes and restripes on the roads.
And Lois, let's not forget one more thing. Who is responsible for the lost business. Many think that is a phantom or exaggerated claim, but I have first hand knowledge that it is likely dwarfing the expense the city is putting out. Of course that is not taxpayer money, and other stores in Peru will get the business, so why should anybody care?
Well I know quite a few people who care, more everyday.
Holy Crap!!!!!!! Every time I drive past 38th there are new signs somewhere. No exaggeration. Between stop signs, yield signs, no u turn signs, no left turn signs, no exit signs, and no turn around signs, 251 that way signs- its a damn cluster maze. What a mess up there. Peru should be embarrassed of that mess.
Some of Peru leaders are not embarrassed. They are too friggin stubborn to admit they failed at thoroughly analyzing the intersection decision and common sense driving patterns and are not willing to listen to suggestions. Just wait, we'll have another study done by the engineers and try something else AGAIN. All I want to know is, WHO DESIGNED THIS MESS from the very beginning?? 2 major intersections how close together? Exits/Entrances from the country's largest retailer how close to a major intersection? How many big business entrances within 30 to 40 feet of a major intersection? (DQ, Mall, 2 banks, old Walmart.) Just a tad bit of an oversight?
It's just more of the fine engineering work of Chamlin and Associates. When are people going to wake up?
9:21 Breaking news...The countries larget retailer is not DQ. Its Walmart! Illinois Department of transportation has qualified, experienced professionals on staff. You must be going to the Traffic study support group on Saturday morning. They count cars and watch traffic, see you there.
According to the mayor "signage is everything! "
Lets just keep adding signs and not fix the problem.
10;06 - I am confused by your statement. I know that DQ is not the largest retailer. I think you read my comment incorrectly and assumed I was talking about the current retailers in place. The old Walmart opened in 1985/1986 (?) after the infrastructure was designed and installed with so many entrances/exits within close proximity to the main intersections. I don't think anybody thought about traffic issues if expansion occurred. Once again, always reactive, not proactive. More billings if you are reactive.
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