Elmhurst Seeks To End Confusion At Intersection

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst aldermen on Monday agreed to spend up to $206,000 to end what they consider confusion at York and Arthur streets.

Alderwoman Noel Talluto hailed the planned work as a "welcome improvement" for the intersection.

Half of the intersection is in Talluto's Ward 4.

She said the upgrades would improve safety for students at the nearby Hawthorne Elementary School and IC Catholic Prep.

"I just want to thank everybody who did the work to put the information together and to put together the new design," Talluto said.

The confusion is for northbound drivers on York Street heading toward Arthur Street, according to a city memo. The traffic light is on a pole and does not extend over York, but the traffic light for Palmer Drive, which is 350 feet farther, goes over the street.

"If the existing traffic signals are replaced with new poles and mast arms that extend over the York Street travel lanes, along with new upgraded traffic signals, a safer and less confusing driving experience will be achieved," the city memo says.

The contract for the upgrades is with Rosemont-based Burke Engineering.

The council voted unanimously for the agreement. Alderwoman Emily Bastedo was absent.