Island Lake school zone to now get flashing lights

Drivers approaching Matthews Middle School in Island Lake need a little more warning.

That's what Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 officials say they've been stressing since before construction began.

But only now is a plan in motion to put up signs with flashing yellow lights telling drivers they're approaching a school zone.

"I know I was the one who brought up the idea … That was immediately dismissed," district Superintendent Dan Coles said. "It's good to see (the Lake County Department of Transportation has) had a change of heart."

William Harkin, business services manager for the district, said he's been speaking with the county about the possibility of installing solar-powered flashing lights on Darrell Road near the school.

"We would turn them on and off during those peak periods," Harkin said. Drivers may not see current school zone signs until it's too late, he said. "Most of that traffic is not aware that there's a school there until they're right up on it."

Harkin said the county was originally against the idea of installing signs with flashing lights because of a plan to put in a stop light at the intersection of Darrell and Burnett Roads.

But with the new plan to have that light installed in 2008, the county changed its mind, he said.

"They felt that having those types of lights at the school would be far enough away," Harkin told the board at Thursday night's committee of the whole meeting.

Board member Thomas Weber said he also thought having more police presence in the area might cause people to lean on the brakes around the school.

"Getting people to slow down to 20 (mph) unless there's a squad car there is going to be difficult," Weber said.