No signal yet for Main, Prairie Valley

Ever since the Jewel-Osco at the corner of Routes 38 and 47 in Elburn opened its doors in May, traffic safety at the nearby intersection of Main Street (Rt. 47) and Prairie Valley Street has become a concern to both village leaders and residents.

"We get requests every day about when we're going to get a signal at Main Street and Prairie Valley," Elburn Village Administrator David Morison said.

The intersection, which is located directly in front of Jewel-Osco, has experienced an increase in traffic in the past five months, making it more difficult and dangerous for motorists attempting to turn onto or cross Route 47.

However, according to village officials, the volume of automobiles passing through the intersection has not yet reached the level that would qualify it for a traffic signal at this time.

As a result, Elburn trustees decided on Monday to put off a $4,000 traffic signal warrant study to evaluate traffic conditions to meet the appropriate warrants required by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Despite the village's decision, they made clear that they are aware of the need for a traffic signal at the intersection.

"It's one of these situations where we know the traffic volumes are not there yet to warrant a light," explained Morrison.

"I personally know whether or not we meet the criteria that we need a stop light there," Village Trustee Craig Swan said. "It doesn't take a $4,000 study to tell me we need a stop light there."

The first automobile accident at the intersection occurred last week.

Morrison is hopeful that after additional stores open in the shopping center adjacent to the Jewel-Osco, that the traffic volume will reach the required level.

Four businesses plan to open stores in the shopping center in the near future.

In the meantime, the Elburn Police Department will begin setting up traffic classifiers at the intersection to keep a tally of the traffic volume to determine if they are close to reaching the required levels.