Elmhurst takes step toward adding traffic signal at York and Diversey intersection

Elmhurst is moving forward with a traffic signal study for the busy York Road and Diversey Avenue intersection, the first step in potentially adding a stoplight there.

The city council this week greenlighted the study less than a month after residents first approached members on June 3 with safety concerns.

The push was organized by Joe Martucci, a 56-year Elmhurst resident, and Don Gelsomino, a football coach at York High School. Former Elmhurst mayor and current DuPage County Board member Pete DiCianni also lent his support.

Dozens of residents have come to council and committee meetings to voice concerns about the intersection. Another 450 signed a petition.

City staff members compiled a list that showed 52 crashes at or near the intersection since January 2013 and nine of them were categorized as intersection-related, with most involving vehicles turning left from Diversey onto the busier York Road.

While some of the other crashes occurred in nearby parking lots, 15 happened when a vehicle turned left out of the McDonald's at the intersection.

Alderman Marti Deuter, who is on the council's public works and buildings committee, was the only alderman who voted against the measure. She said she would prefer to go with the staff recommendation that the intersection be included in an engineering study for the upcoming North York improvement project.

Alderman Bob Dunn said the study, which is estimated to cost about $12,000, is "well within the city manager's authority to approve" and the information can inform the later corridor study.