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News
Montgomery panel backs limiting traffic access : News : Oswego Ledger-Sentinel : Hometown Newspaper for Oswego and Montgomery, IllinoisMontgomery panel backs limiting traffic access
| Committee rejects full access to former gas station site at Rt. 30, Douglas
| by John Etheredge
| 8/6/2009
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A Montgomery Village Board committee unanimously agreed last week to limit future traffic access off Douglas Road to the site of a former gas station at U.S. Route 30 to a right-in, right-out drive only.
Jane Tompkins, the village's community development director, told the board's development committee Thursday that several companies have expressed interest in re-developing the former site of a Mobil gas station at the northwest corner of the intersection.
Tompkins noted that the firms have requested a full access drive on Douglas Road to the site, just north of the Route 30 intersection.
"People are saying they can't re-develop that site without a full access drive (on Douglas Road)," Peter Wallers, an engineering consultant for the village, confirmed.
But the committee, siting recommendations from Wallers and Deputy Police Chief Daniel Meyers, agreed to allow only a right-in, right-out drive on Douglas Road.
Village President Marilyn Michelini voiced support for the committee's decision.
Referring to Douglas Road near the site, Michelini said, "There have been some harrowing experiences and serious traffic accidents out there."
In addition, the committee voiced support for studying the possible future extension of Village Center Parkway, which borders the former gas station site to the west, to connect with Route 30. If developed, Wallers said the connection would provide another access to the former gas station site and improve traffic access to the nearby Post Office and businesses along Village Center Parkway.
Wallers told board members there is not room for an adequate turn lane for northbound traffic on Douglas Road to allow for a full access at the former gas station site.
Wallers also noted that none of the three other businesses at the intersection-Taco Bell, a Jewel gas station and McDonalds-have full access drives to their sites on Douglas Road.
Meyers said he understands why businesses want "total access" to their sites, but said he can't support a full access to the former Mobil site due to traffic safety concerns.
"I'm all for business coming to town, but I don't know about full access for that site on Douglas Road," he said.
When the gas station was in business, Meyers said police handled multiple accidents on Douglas Road just north of Route 30.
"Vehicles would be coming across Route 30 going north and we would have serious rear-end collisions because people would be stopped in traffic trying to turn left into the Mobil," he said.
Before a west side access was opened to the site off Village Center Parkway, Meyers said police were being summoned to accidents near the Mobil every day.
"It was bad," he said.
"If you look at it from a traffic management standpoint, it should be a right-in, right out. There is no doubt," Wallers said, adding, "Back when there wasn't as much traffic on Douglas Road, it may have been acceptable, but today there is just too much traffic."
When questioned by board members, Tompkins said two firms have expressed interest in the site during the past six months, a bank and a small retailer.
Referring to the bank, Tompkins said, "They tell us they are still interested, but because of their chain of command, it takes a long time to get the approvals they need to go ahead with their plans."
Tompkins said the retailer has put together a plan for the site that includes a right-in, right-out access drive only.
"But they are still arguing for a full access," she said.
"I can't say with certainty that any firms have walked away because of the access issue, but everyone tries to argue that re-development requires full access," Tompkins said.
Extend Village Center
Parkway to Route 30?
Wallers told board members that the capital bill signed into law last month by Governor Pat Quinn includes funds for the widening of Route 30 to four lanes from U.S. Route 34 west to just past Ill. Route 31.
Since construction is not likely to take place until 2015, Wallers suggested the village could attempt to work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to have Village Center Parkway extended to Route 30. IDOT owns and maintains Route 30.
Referring to the proposed intersection, Wallers said, "It would enhance the ability to get to the (former) Mobil station property and, I think, it would be a convenience to a lot of people using the Post Office. We haven't worked out how it would be paid for, but at least we want to explore the feasibility with IDOT."
Wallers said the project could possibly be included in IDOT's planning for the widening of Route 30.
"Again, we don't have funding. We don't know the feasibility, but we think it's a good idea to explore because it enhances access to the whole Village Center Parkway (area)," he said.
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