President Says No Resolution Opposing Overpass in La Grange—For Now

Village President Liz Asperger said it would not be appropriate at this time for the La Grange Village Board to pass a resolution opposing an overpass at the East Avenue and 47^th Street intersection.

Resident Matthew Barrette asked the board during Monday’s meeting to put in writing its position on an overpass, which is being considered under the Chicago Region Environmental Transportation and Efficiency Program (CREATE).

“The people of La Grange have spoken,” Barrette said. “We don’t want an overpass.”

But Asperger said it is too early for such a proclamation.

“We don’t proclaim a stance on an issue or situation that hasn’t actually presented itself,” she said.

Earlier in the meeting, Asperger said she wished to clarify some of the information going around regarding projects at the intersection, which is bisected by railroad tracks.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) study that started this winter is part of a separate project to improve roads affected by the 1998 Joliet Road closure south of 55^th Street, she said. The project would be funded with a portion of a $40 million settlement reached in 2010 over that closure.

Asperger said that IDOT has identified the 47^th Street/East Avenue intersection as one that could benefit from a traffic signal. IDOT’s draft stakeholder involvement plan, released March 6, said that the study is looking into several possibilities, “including traffic signals and a grade separation”—in other words, an overpass.

The project is in its early stages, with the study scheduled for completion in 2015.

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“No decisions have been made by anyone, including your village government, with respect to changes at this particular intersection,” Asperger said.

She said it was her understanding that the takeaway from an initial community meeting was that “a signal was a favorable solution … and some sort of overpass would not be desirable.”

A community group formed in early March in opposition to an overpass. Some members of that group are also part of an IDOT-organized Community Advisory Group that’s an official part of the study.

The unofficial community group says that an overpass would divide the community and create more of a hazard along 47th Street by increasing traffic.

“What we’re vying for are options, solutions that are going to minimize traffic, maximize safety and maintain the integrity of our residential community,” group member Sheri Barrette—Matthew Barrette's wife—told Patch in March.

Several trustees said at Monday’s board meeting that they would support a resolution formally opposing an overpass.

“I think there are some issues that almost all of La Grange can unite in favor or against,” Trustee Mark Kuchler said. “I believe an overpass is something the community has and will say no to.” It would be appropriate, he said, for the village to take a stand at this stage.

Trustees Michael Horvath and Jim Palermo said they, too, felt a resolution was fitting. 

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) told the Doings last week that he doesn’t yet have a firm position on the issue.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding that a grade separation is preordained and that I support it,” the congressman told the Doings. “I want what the community wants in that area.”

Asperger said the Village Board and staff would continue to hold an open dialogue with Lipinski and other elected officials, as well the community, over any plans for the intersection.

Earlier:

• Safety Concerns Emerge around 47th Street Intersection Proposal
• 47th Street Intersection: Statements from Village Candidates
• 47th Street Intersection Project: Readers React