Schaumburg board rejects roundabout plan at neighbors’ request

Hundreds of Schaumburg residents are celebrating after the village board Tuesday rejected their transportation staff’s recommendation for a mini-roundabout at the intersection of National Parkway and Thacker Street.

Trustees sided instead with neighbors who opposed the addition as part of National Parkway’s planned reconstruction in 2030, despite village staff saying a mini-roundabout would be safer than the current four-way stop.

A mini-roundabout is distinct from a standard roundabout for having a round apron in the center that larger vehicles can traverse to negotiate the smaller area of the intersection.

Approximately 350 residents signed a petition opposing any change from the current configuration.

Richard Bolesta, who’s been leading the charge for about a year, admitted he was surprised to have persuaded the board.

“I think a big part of what swayed them was the number of people who showed up,” he said.

The three trustees who also serve on the board’s transportation committee concurred, saying the residents’ opposition — not doubts about the staff recommendation — is what led to their decision.

“Is it what’s best for the overall community?” Trustee Brian Bieschke asked of keeping the four-way stop in place. “Probably not.”

Bieschke noted a study that indicated only about 42% of vehicles come to a complete stop at the intersection, whereas a roundabout would change their trajectory and slow them.

But he and his colleagues were convinced to consider other factors.

“They’re our constituents,” said Trustee Michael LaRosa, who chairs the transportation committee. “One size doesn’t fit all. Every case has to be taken individually.”

“You have to balance out what the community is asking for,” added Trustee Mark Madej.

Bolesta said he remains unconvinced the data regarding the safety of roundabouts was applied correctly in this case. He also argued there’s an incentive to approve roundabouts to receive more grant money.

But the transportation staff’s report shows the roundabout would still have been the more expensive option.

The roundabout’s construction would have cost an estimated $1.5 million, with the village responsible for $300,000. Maintaining the four-way stop through the reconstruction will cost $300,000, with the village’s share at $60,000.

Bolesta said he doesn’t believe the roundabout would be the best option for the residential area.

“It’s not that I object to all roundabouts,” he said. “I have no issue with the roundabout at National Parkway and American Way since it is not where lots of children cross.”

epeterson@dailyherald.com