Worrisome East Dundee road to remain closed

The gate at the end of Guth Street in East Dundee will remain closed after residents expressed concerns that reopening the gate would invite daredevil drivers to once again use the steep hill as a launchpad for their vehicles.

The village in 1999 installed the gate after a pair of car accidents in which vehicles left the road after taking the steep hill on Guth at high speed. No one was injured in either accident, but a tow truck was needed to pull both cars out of the ravine.

"About 12 years ago it was quite a sporting event for some kids," Trustee Rob Gorman said. "Residents said this is an issue for us, so the gate will stay closed until we can investigate the cost of fixing the grade."

Village board members earlier this year had agreed to reopen the gate at the request of the East Dundee Fire Protection District. Fire officials said a number of mix-ups occurred when out-of-town fire crews responded to emergencies in the area.

However, after hearing resident's concerns, the village board on Monday directed staff to keep the gate shut until the extremely steep slope is addressed or a system is installed that would allow other fire departments to unlock the gate.

Acting Fire Chief Steve Schmitendorf said mapping systems do not account for the gate and show Guth as a through street. Although it would be impossible for a fire truck to maneuver over the steep grade, Schmitendorf said, an ambulance would have no such difficulties.

"For safety reason and concerns, it would be a good idea for the street to be open," Schmitendorf said. "They are narrow streets that are difficult to access as is, without having one way in and one way out. But I understand the residents' concerns."

Residents on Guth said the street could become dangerous for families with small children who have grown up accustomed to being on a dead-end street.

Andrew Patton said he moved his family to the street eight years ago specifically because it is a dead end.

"I am absolutely for keeping the gate closed," Patton said. The reasons are threefold: for the safety of the small children who have grown up on this street knowing it is closed. Secondly, traffic will increase and so will the speed ... Then there is the safety of young new drivers who think they are more dare-devilish than they should be."