Due to a high level of traffic and crashes more than three times that of similar intersections, city staff recommended a change to the 95th Street – Book Road intersection. That would include putting in right turn lanes for all four directions of traffic and additional northbound and southbound lanes on Book Road.
Residents Not Happy
But many residents aren’t pleased with the plan.
Speakers claimed despite city staff’s research, the proposed plan will only increase traffic and noise, while also decreasing safety.
“The things I’ve seen on that road are very scary for family areas and a bigger intersection won’t make these accidents stop,” said Rocco Dubial, a child living near the intersection of 95th Street and Book Road. “More cars in a smaller space won’t make the intersection safer for children.”
Residents also said they weren’t properly notified of the multiple public meetings to discuss the expansion.
Notification System
City staff said they felt their notification strategies were more than adequate, with emails, mailers, and flashing signs at the intersection in the days prior to each meeting.
However, council sided with the residents 6-3, and directed staff to reinitiate public outreach before moving forward.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.
