Gurnee overpass not an easy proposition

One woman found out this week that getting a pedestrian bridge installed over a major Gurnee thoroughfare isn't easy.

Lori Moss, who lives just outside the village limits near North Brookside Drive and Grand Avenue, made her second pitch for the overpass to Gurnee village board members.

Moss contends safety is an issue for those in residential areas who wish to walk or ride a bicycle from one side of Grand Avenue to the other west of Gurnee Mills. She presented officials with a petition from Brookside Drive-area residents who favored an overpass.

"In spite of the traffic signals," Moss said, "it is quite unsafe and difficult for the residents crossing."

But Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said the Illinois Department of Transportation rejected a request for a pedestrian bridge by Six Flags Great America, where there is heavy foot traffic.

"They will not just come in and do pedestrian walkways," Kovarik explained to Moss.

Gurnee Village Administrator James Hayner said it would cost at least $500,000 to build a bridge. It would be even more for an underpass, he said.

"That would be a very expensive proposition," Hayner said.

Moss later asked if the village would consider pursuing a longer red light for Grand Avenue drivers at Brookside, which might provider greater time for pedestrians and bicyclists to get across the street.

In addition, Moss asked if the village board would consider approval of a signal that provides a countdown of the time pedestrians have to cross the street.

Moss first approached the village board with the overpass request at a public meeting Sept. 17. At the time she said she was unaware of any incidents involving pedestrians and motorists but still considered the Brookside Drive-Grand Avenue intersection to be dangerous.