'Most Dangerous' Clarendon Hills Intersection Needs Improvement: Resident

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – For a long time, Clarendon Hills has contemplated a traffic light at 55th Street and Western Avenue.

Four years ago, the developer of a proposed Dunkin' Donuts on the southwest corner of the intersection hired a traffic consultant who recommended a signal there.

The Village Board later rejected changing the zoning for a Dunkin' drive-thru, prompting the developer to pull the project.

But the idea of a traffic light remained.

Among the proponents is Daniel Quealy, who lives near there.

In an interview Wednesday, Quealy said the village has been advised that development at the southwest corner needs to happen before a traffic light becomes a serious possibility.

As it is, he said, the village has been informed that the intersection doesn't meet the requirements for a traffic light, with 55th Street a DuPage County road.

For now, the village is asking the county for a pedestrian hybrid beacon on 55th Street at Western. This would involve overhead red lights for drivers to stop when a pedestrian pushes the button.

Such a beacon's installation would cost $60,000 to $150,000, Quealy said.

He said he and village officials have spoken with county officials about making this a reality.

Quealy called 55th and Western the "most dangerous" intersection in town. He cited an engineer's report that indicated eight crashes a year occur there.

"This is personal to me, trying to cross the street with my 10-year-old granddaughter. Trucks are flying by," Quealy said. "We're not trying to change the world. We're trying to cross the street."

Patch left a message for comment Tuesday with Village President Eric Tech.