I am new to the GEBB, and am trying to find info on the arguments surrounding the downtown one-way streets - I've done a cursory check of the posts, but have not found a significant amount of discussion of the arguments for and against the current one-way street configurations in Downtown GE.

If someone can point me in their direction...

ha. ha.

(I have always wondered to what extent the consultant/planners of the new downtown plans have taken into account the way in which the circuitous route through the downtown area actually EXPOSES one to more of the businesses in a way in which a direct route along Main would not?)

William

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wm. Schumacher,

We have one way streets?! Why is it then I see a minimum of 2 cars/week traveling opposite the posted direction?! The flashing light at Penn and Main gets whacked several times per year.

I imagine the idea was to funnel traffic past in and around the store fronts on Main,Forest, Crescent and Pennsylvania. Why Hillside is one way, I have no idea. Tracy should look into that as a way of making Bells & Whistles more accessible to north bound traffic.

I was 11 or 12 when the village switched from two-way to one-way streets, circa 1955. My guess is that the study that detailed why it was a good idea is still in a filing cabinet somewhere in the Civic Center (which, if found, would save $40,000... plus the cost of re-striping the streets and adding traffic lights).

G.E. went one-way because:

• The northbound Main Street traffic that wanted to turn left (west) at Crescent after crossing the tracks conflicted with traffic heading south on Main at the same intersection. Simarily, westbound traffic on Crescent that wanted to cross the tracks by turning south onto Main conflicted with the same northbound track-crossing traffic... both situations causing safety problems for pedestrians as well as forcing trapped cars to stop on the tracks. It was a real mess.
• This required the expense of a traffic cop at the intersection of Main and Crescent during busy commuter hours and heavy shopping times.
• It was determined that the only other alternative would be to install traffic lights at this intersection... which would then force a need for feeder control lights at Main & Duane, Main & Hillside, Main & Pennsylvania, Crescent & Park, Crescent & Forest, Crescent & Glenwood, Crescent & Prospect and perhaps a few other locations.
• With two lane, one-way traffic drivers can change lanes to pass cars in front of them that are attempting to park. With two-way traffic, drivers have to wait until the car in front finishes parking before they can continue on their way.
• Many one-way blocks that now have parallel parking on one side and diagonal parking on the other would have to revert to parallel parking on both sides of the street if two-way traffic returns... reducing the total number of parking spaces.

All reasons to keep things the way they are.


Photo by little Teddy Eselgroth - January, 1956

On the other hand — there now is (and will always be) less traffic in the CBD than there was in the 50’s. Replacing Cee-Bees grocery store and the Marathon gas station with condos on Crescent have certainly reduced traffic in the area across from the train station. In fact, in the 50’s there were something like seven or eight service stations and automobile dealerships downtown, all attracting vehicular traffic, and all now replaced with pocket parks or businesses that attract far fewer visitors.

And we’ll certainly never replicate the traffic generated by a downtown Sears, Woolworth’s, Walgreen’s, a liquor store and two department stores — all before the competition of Roosevelt Road retailers and regional shopping malls. Even the Duane Street School attracted more auto and foot traffic to the CBD than does the Civic Center.

So, with far less traffic than we had in the 50’s, perhaps the village can afford to go back to congested and unsafe intersections and fewer parking spaces.

I posted more ramblings on the subject in The Downtown Plan thread in January.

But before we spend a penny -- let’s dig out that original 1955 traffic study. —Ted E.

quote:

Originally posted by Ted E.:

• The northbound Main Street traffic that wanted to turn left (west) at Crescent after crossing the tracks conflicted with traffic heading south on Main at the same intersection. Simarily, westbound traffic on Crescent that wanted to cross the tracks by turning south onto Main conflicted with the same northbound track-crossing traffic... both situations causing safety problems for pedestrians as well as forcing trapped cars to stop on the tracks. It was a real mess.

at original 1955 traffic study. —Ted E.

This sounds just like Park & Crescent, and we all know how safe that intersection is...

Schumacher ? I went to school with a Schmacher.

Anyway, there are old photos posted up at Barones (good pizza by the way if you're interested) showing 2 way traffic. Also I think in the Glen Ellyn big book too. Also temporarily when they did the film Lucas Crescent went two ways.

I have heard a lot of talk about returning Main Street to two-way on the North Side of the tracks, also have heard a lot of people grumbling about having to loop around due to the one-way flow of Crescent. Had even heard a rumor that plans to move the Old Fountain (NOT the "NEW" fountain...) and restore the flow are in the works...

Truth? Rumor?

Who can say...

William

quote:

Originally posted by Ted E.:

... With two-way traffic, drivers have to wait until the car in front finishes parking before they can continue on their way. .....

Not in Glen Ellyn. Try parking on Pennsylvania, Duane or Main St. south of the tracks with a car behind you. If you put your signal on and stop and put it in reverse in an attempt to park either

a) someone stops 6" from your bumper and honks at you to move

or

b) you start to back up into the parking spot and they pass you on the left, honk and flip you off for delaying them while you park.

They don't flip you off for delaying them!