Elgin intersection to get 4-way stop after numerous accidents

A northeast side intersection in Elgin is expected to get a four-way stop sign next month after 27 traffic accidents - one fatal - have taken place there in the last three years.

The city council approved the new stop sign at the intersection of Spring and Summit streets at its committee of the whole meeting Wednesday, and is expected to give the final OK at its Aug. 12 meeting. The stop sign will be installed in a matter of days after that, Director of Public Services Greg Rokos said.

"We've had quite a few unfortunate accidents, some very serious, at this intersection, so I'm pleased that we are able to move forward," Councilwoman Tish Powell said. Currently there is a two-way stop sign on Summit Street only.

The most serious crash among the 27 took place in January, when Guillermo Zamora-Enriquez of Elgin lost his life, according to information from city and police officials.

A traffic study completed in late April shows the intersection has a high number of crashes compared to its relatively low traffic volumes.

Councilman Rich Dunne said he wished the city received formal input from the NorthEast Neighborhood Association. City Manager Sean Stegall said neighbors have expressed concern over the years; he also pointed out the city doesn't get residents' input in such matters of public safety.

On Thursday, NENA President Patricia Harkin said the imminent four-way stop sign is great news.

"We've been worried for a long time and our worry increased with the fatality that occurred," she said, adding NENA had discussed the issue with the neighborhood resident police officer. "We're just delighted."

Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger said her neighbor and sister-in-law got into accidents there. "Many, many people in the neighborhood knew that was a dangerous intersection," she said.

Resident Jesse Martinez, who's lived on the northeast corner of the intersection for more than 20 years, agreed.

"I've called in many accidents," he said. "People come down Spring doing 45 mph, and people coming down Summit don't see them and they get in there and they get hit."

More stop signs should be installed along Spring Street to slow down traffic, Martinez added.

The city also implemented "no parking" zones near the intersection to increase safety, but Martinez said that's an inconvenience to him and other neighbors.