47th Street Intersection: Statements from Village Candidates

An Illinois Department of Transportation study is underway to determine what should be done to alleviate congestion at the intersection between 47^th Street and East Avenue in La Grange, which is mere feet from a busy freight train crossing.

The intersection, which has stop signs at each corner, sees about 12,000 cars and 56 freight trains pass through each day, according to the Chicago Region Environmental Transportation and Efficiency Program (CREATE).

La Grange Patch asked the village president and trustee candidates to answer two questions regarding intersection. Candidates’ responses are listed in the order in which their names will appear on the April 9 ballot.

Tom Livingston, candidate for village president

I believe the board has the opportunity early in the upcoming term to work collaboratively with residents, Congressman Lipinski, and state transportation officials to address the concerns of area residents. I have found the congressman reasonable in changing course on projects if there have been safety concerns or higher transportation priorities elsewhere. I am committed to representing resident concerns I have heard about on this issue to a workable solution—even if this means a scope change of the project. 

Joint statement from Mark S. Langan, Bill Holder and David McCarty, candidates for village trustee

47th and East/CAG

As a part of the settlement from the litigation relating to Joliet Road closing, $40 million was put aside for traffic improvements in the area affected by the closing. IDOT’s study of possible improvements to 47^th/East Ave. is funded from the Joliet Road closing settlement proceeds. The goal of the study is to examine 47th and East and determine if there is a better way for traffic to be managed – for instance the addition of traffic signals at this intersection. Both IDOT and La Grange have concerns with the safety of this intersection, and would like to study ways to improve it. The village is working with IDOT and sharing our study of the 47^th Street corridor (2009) to assist in the decision making process. IDOT advises that a decision on a course of action will not be reached until 2015. In addition, CAG/47^th&East has also asked for a status report on the other studies being conducted in the region as a part of the Joliet Road settlement agreement. We want an understanding of the potential solutions so we can determine the resulting effects on 47th & East Avenue.

CREATE

This is separate and apart from the Joliet Road settlement and the IDOT study referred to above. CREATE is a mega project aimed at separating several different railroad/road crossings in the Chicago region in order to improve the transportation network in this region. 47^th and East Avenue is one of the identified railroad/road crossings. This project is likely 20+ years in the future, and is estimated to cost more than $ 100 million. Congressman Lipinski’s release mentions $48M for construction and $ 7.1 million for land acquisition, and I suspect that these figures are his working estimates of the cost to create an overpass to separate the road and railroad crossing in this area. The land acquisition costs might relate to railroad right-of-way. Mark Langan has asked our Village Manager, Bob Pilipiszyn, to request clarification from the Congressman's office regarding his comments relating to the potential underpass/overpass and land acquisition expectations. Rather than speculate we will wait for the response.

Village of LaGrange/Lipinski

Over the last several years our Village President, Liz Asperger, Village Manager Bob Pilipiszyn, Congressman Lipinski and staff have met to discuss transportation issues in the area. The village has expressed our concerns and made it very clear that:  Sedgwick Park is a community asset; pedestrian safety is critical; and traffic calming is a major priority. The village has been actively involved in the Joliet Road settlement discussions. 

Next Steps

We will continue to be actively involved and keep the lines of communication open. We are hoping we can get a response from the Congressman soon to clarify his comments regarding land acquisition, and any relationship (or not) between CREATE and IDOT’s study of improvements at 47th & East. In the meantime, we will continue to get the word out.

Additional statement from David McCarty, candidate for village trustee

The condition at 47^th Street & East Avenue is a perfect opportunity for municipal activism. Conflict between national, regional and hometown interests is the heart of the issue. National and regional interests favor more car, truck and train traffic through this intersection, and on 47^th Street. More traffic of any kind is not beneficial to La Grange. The primary role of the village government must be to protect residents. Installing a traffic signal to balance automobile and train traffic is a simple solution that will cost far less than anything else under consideration. In fact, a traffic light will cost less than further studies! La Grange must stand firm. No other option is acceptable. We must attend and participate in all meetings, but we must not negotiate. Congressman Dan Lipinski and any other national or regional participants must understand that we will accept no other solution.

Michael Horvath, candidate for village trustee

I think the Village Board should take an official position against an overpass and proactively lobby our state and federal officials for alternatives that reduce the amount of traffic on 47th and improve its safety profile through lane reconfiguration, signalization, crosswalk improvements and better lighting and signage. The board's policy should be to make the street more "residential" and less "4-lane highway."

Joan Hoigard, candidate for village trustee

The Village Board should take a proactive role in advocating a solution at that intersection that will work best for our community. They should not take a reactive, "wait and see" stance. Efforts should be made to gather input from La Grange residents on what they would like to see done, as well as to reach out to our neighbors in Brookfield and McCook. The governments of the three towns should work together to lobby Congressman Lipinski, IDOT and the Federal Highway Administration for the solution we want, and not wait to react to a solution that may have already gathered too much steam to stop.

Jeff Tucek, candidate for village trustee

The 47th Street/East Ave Intersection project is an important issue the village needs to stay on top of. The proposed bypass/underpass project would be very disruptive to our community and only increase the potential for higher cut-through traffic on a road that is already dangerous to pedestrians. The village should take a proactive role in lobbying for a solution which maintains the character of our community and enhances safety for our residents.

Tom Livingston, candidate for village president

Any modernization project at 47th and East Avenue should pursue the principles of 1. Safety; and 2. Congestion relief. I would rely on professional traffic engineers to offer recommendations on signals, intersection geometry and other traffic calming measures. There will be an opportunity to take a fact-based approach in a transparent and timely way to vet the project as a community.  

Joint statement from Mark S. Langan, Bill Holder and David McCarty, candidates for village trustee

Mark Langan, Bill Holder and Dave McCarty are strongly opposed to any proposals that would result in a loss of green space or would otherwise negatively impact the beauty, safety or integrity of our community. We will work for a solution that improves traffic and pedestrian safety on 47^th Street generally and at 47^th and East Avenue specifically.

Additional statement from David McCarty, candidate for village trustee

Traffic lights must be installed at this intersection. No other options protect the safety and integrity of our town. 47^th Street splits La Grange into halves. It is already difficult and dangerous for pedestrians to cross the street. We must not be caught in a regional solution that tears La Grange apart. Restoring Joliet Road as the primary truck and through-traffic route is the best option for all interests.

Michael Horvath, candidate for village trustee

I would like to see the intersection re-engineered with traffic signals, crossing gate improvements and better access for pedestrians to safely facilitate movement between the Park District Rec Center and Sedgwick Park. I've seen several good alternative concepts including one with a pedestrian bridge over the tracks and 47th. All of these would be less costly to build and maintain while improving the safety profile of the intersection. Then, I'd ask the state to re-allocate the millions in savings to the higher priority sewer and street infrastructure upgrade projects we really need here in La Grange.

Joan Hoigard, candidate for village trustee

Any improvement should be minimally invasive. I would not support an underpass or overpass. Any solution would need to discourage increases in traffic volume, improve pedestrian and vehicular safety, and maintain the residential integrity of our neighborhoods and parks. There a number of creative ideas out there about how to achieve these goals, including minimal signalization (flashing red most of the time, fuller signalization only after a train in order to clear the intersection) or redirecting traffic back toward Ogden or 55th Street using a combination of spurs and turn lanes. But whatever the solution is at that intersection, it needs to be driven by us, not reacted to by us.

Jeff Tucek, candidate for village trustee

See above.

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