Palatine Opposes Barrier Median On Dundee Road
The Palatine Village Council passed a resolution officially stating that the village is opposed to the state's plan to add a barrier median on Dundee Road between Rand Road and Route 53.
Palatine made its opposition to a raised, impassable, barrier median on Dundee Road official this week.
The median has been proposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction over Dundee Road. The median would be between Rand Road and Route 53.
The Village Council passed a resolution stating Palatine's concerns that the median could hurt local businesses or even hamper emergency responses from the fire department.
"If we were trying to get to one of the businesses on the north side of Dundee Road just passed the intersection with Rand, short of crossing over and driving against traffic they would have to go all the way down to Baldwin Road," Village Manager Reid Ottesen said. "They would be adding almost two minutes to response times. In a profession where seconds, let alone minutes save lives, two minutes is significant."
The issue of the proposed median first was brought up by village staff on Feb. 13. At that meeting, Deputy Village Manager Mike Jacobs said, "We are very concerned about what this proposal would do as far as cutting off access to businesses up and down Dundee."
Several years ago, Palatine had looked into the possibility of a traffic light at the Dundee Road entrance into Wal-Mart, 1555 N. Rand Road. The village dropped the topic when the project began to grow in size and scope.
The latest IDOT proposal for the area does not include a traffic signal.
"In reviewing IDOT's most recent proposal, Staff believes the plan does not improve pedestrian safety and will negatively impact the commercial properties along the Dundee Road corridor," stated village documents on the topic.
Beth
8:06 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
I cannot believe how stupid this would have been as well as a colossal waste of money. Thankfully the Village refused this. Dundee works perfectly fine as it is.
Bucephalus
8:44 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
I don't think we can say Dundee works "fine as it is." Traveling from Rand to Kennicott (or vice versa) is an absolute nightmare during rush hour(s). I think what we can say is that a median would have done nothing to improve Dundee. But Dundee does need some sort of improvement.
chris
8:53 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
I agree with palatine about safety. I wish to remove barrier median at home ave that is too narrow. When the snow is on road and I almost hit the tree while sliding.
Kp222
9:13 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
I'd rather hit a median than a pedestrian though. If they controlled all the people crossing wherever they chose than maybe I would use Dundee more often.
jake
12:51 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
The median is not the way to go! The simple solution is to install a traffic light. If you drive north on Rand Road how many traffic lights are set up within feet of each other, to accomadate the shopping centers. The Wal-Mart in Lake Zurich has 2 traffic lights to get in and out of ,Traffic lights on Rand Road are back to back. Idot should also be looking into updating the Traffic lighting system at Rand & Dundee Road. This intersection is rated one of the most dangerous intersections. Idot needs to invest at this intersection, they need left lane turn signals only,seeing when only 2-3 cars can get through the intersection.
Palman
10:58 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Just read this article and I think it is marvelous. You cannot imagine how many PHS students, mothers with strollers, kids, and groups of teens cross helter-skelter across Dundee. I can say that because I have seen it all too often, ask Palatine Police, who have even been sitting, among places, the Mobil station on Baldwin/Dundee. Albeit, their facts would be highly suspect given they are Palatine employees. Watch the Sonic crowd on a warmer day and you will see all the jay-walkers. Look at the cars going westbound on Dundee to turn into Walmart, watch cars going eastbound on Dundee turning into Wendys! If you know the area, it is frightening to see cars swerving to avoid that collision. Would Palatine admit fault if there is no barrier and there is a death in that type of head on accident or child being hit while standing in the median waiting to cross? Good for the barrier!!
Bucephalus
11:54 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Palatine wouldn't admit fault because Palatine wouldn't have walked into the middle of a busy four-lane road trying to jaywalk. There are no residential areas opposite of Sonic and Wal-Mart on Dundee. You can just as easily walk to Baldwin and cross Dundee there. But its no more Palatine's responsibility if you decide to jaywalk Dundee than it is the state's if you decided to jaywalk across 53.