Less time idling at ill-timed lights

Thank you to all (two of you) who sent me responses on which Elgin intersections can be improved by changing the timing on traffic lights or tweaking traffic patterns.

Waiting at a red light, especially when there is no obvious reason for it to be red (read: no other cars around) is very frustrating.

Less time idling at ill-timed lights can help save gas, time and reduce pollution.

Plus, green is the new black, right?

Some problem areas are: Route 31 and Highland Avenue; the overpass and ramps at route 31 and 20; and Larkin Avenue and Airlite Street.

Elgin leaders aware of your pain, an in most cases, are powerless to change it.

John Loete, the city's public works director, said the first two intersections are controlled by the state.

Several years ago, the Near West Neighbors Association asked to city to look into installing a green arrow for northbound traffic on Route 31 to turn left onto Highland Avenue.

"The point was, that it is hard to get into our neighborhood," wrote Chuck Keysor, NWNA president in an e-mail. "If you are going north on State, a visitor would guess that they could turn on West Chicago, but you can't. So, you continue on to West Highland, and then get stuck there waiting, creating a backup of cars behind you."

Meetings were held, but nothing came of it.

Loete said left turn arrows are most effective if there is a dedicated left turn lane. As we know, there simply isn't room for one there.

As for the mess known as routes 20 and 31, that too is the state's bag.

Loete said the wait is long at that intersection because motorists must wait for lights for two sets of ramps in addition to the north-south traffic. He also said there simply too many cars for this and the Highland intersection.

"There have been many complaints over the years. They are just physically limited, outdated intersections," he said. "Traffic has outgrown the capacity for those intersections."

Neither intersection has any improvements planned from now through 2014, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

As for Larkin and Airlite, that area is split between the state and city.

The intersection was paved earlier this year, but the contractor was called back to fix an underground sensor that created longer wait times for Larkin traffic.

"When it was originally put in service, there were some problems," he said.

Loete also said this week he would have the maintenance firm hired by the city recheck equipment there to ensure everything was working right.

Thank you for the quick response, sir.

Walk this way: There were some dicey moments, but a July 12 garden walk held by the Elgin chapter of the American Association of University Women is being hailed as a success.

"It was raining at 3 a.m. (that day), but it a little after 8 (a.m.) it stopped," said Mary Navin, AAUW member and organizer. "People came from all over. It was wonderful."

She said nearly 400 people attended and it raised more than $3,500 for scholarships. Six area homes and their gardens were on display.