Protect residential area from traffic

As a 32-year resident of Brandywine in Villa Park, my concern is Oakbrook Terrace's planned extension of Ardmore Avenue from 16th Street to Butterfield Road, increasing traffic in Brandywine. We are a residential community of more than 1,100 homes.

At issue is the Krilick property on Butterfield Road that has stood vacant over the years.

A Feb. 25 Chicago Tribune article states that Oakbrook Terrace is planning to extend Ardmore from 16th Street, south to Butterfield Road. The mayor of Oakbrook Terrace stated in that article that he believes this would ease traffic congestion in the area.

He goes on to say "the time to do it is before any development is built in the area." What does he think Brandywine and other development(s) in the area are?

Ardmore's extension has been on the drawing board (since 1956), longer than Oakbrook Terrace, incorporated in 1958, has been in existence. That was 52 years ago, times have changed and so has the population and new growth in this area.

What that article didn't mention is how Oakbrook Terrace rerouted traffic in their community to stop traffic from using 16th Street from Butterfield to Route 83.

They were wise to divert that unwanted traffic to protect the residences, as 16th Street passed a local grade school. At this time, Oakbrook Terrace has only four streets that lead into the community, thus reducing outside traffic problems.

I would commend Oakbrook Terrace for that decision; it was a wise and safe decision to make.

So where does that leave the residences of Brandywine? Don't our residences deserve to have the same safe streets, as well? On Ardmore we have the Oakbrook Terrace Park District Club House and park and the Brandywine Club House & Pool. Both venues receive a high volume of foot traffic, especially during the summer months.

Thank you for allowing me to express my views, for they are concerns shared by many other Brandywine residents.

David L. Spero

Villa Park