Buffalo Grove again turns down stop sign request

Buffalo Grove officials again chose not to install stop signs at Bernard Drive and White Pine Road, but instead approved parking restrictions in hopes of alleviating concerns about traffic at the S-curve there.

Based on the recommendation of the village's Traffic Management Committee, the village board Monday voted to restrict parking on the north side of Bernard Drive between the east property line of 604 Bernard Drive and the west side of the public crosswalk.

Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch said the restriction aims to improve the line-of-sight at the curve.

It is the third time trustees have opted against stop signs at the intersection.

The village first reviewed the proposal last year after Trustee Lisa Stone received a stop sign request from a resident, but in August decided it was not warranted.

Officials revisited the issue in December, but again opted against stop signs. However, it was recommended that the area be given a review for possible speed limit adjustments and traffic calming.

The police department provided the Traffic Management Committee with a 10-year review of crashes within two blocks of the intersection. The study later was extended to include the intersection of Greenwood Court North and South.

Of 20 total crashes in the study area, three involved injury and just three occurred at Bernard and White Pine.

A stealth device recorded volume and average speeds of traffic headed eastbound on Bernard. The study found that more than 53,000 vehicles traveled the roadway, with the average speed clocked at 25.72 mph in a 25-mph zone.

Stone thanked Neukirch and Village Engineer Dick Kuenkler for looking into the request.

"It's hard to know sometimes what is going to be the cure," Stone said. "Hopefully this is a happy medium and it will take care of everyone's concerns."