Hinsdale trustees review proposed downtown traffic and safety study; no contract vote this meeting

HINSDALE, Ill. — Village trustees heard a presentation Feb. 4 from Kenneth D. Lindgren & Associates (KLOA) on a proposed traffic and safety study focused on Hinsdale’s downtown, with the village setting a follow-up schedule and leaving formal contract approval for a later meeting.

The study, described by Michael Worthman, principal at KLOA Inc., will examine vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle operations in the downtown Central Business District — roughly Maple to Second Street and Garfield to Grant Street — and produce short-, mid- and long-term recommendations for implementation. "For this study, we're looking at conducting daily traffic volumes and speed surveys at 10 locations through the downtown," Worthman said.

The work is positioned as the first step toward streetscape and safety improvements identified in the village's master infrastructure program budget, which the board previously set at $500,000 for related streetscape and safety projects. Trustees and staff discussed timing for counts to capture both weekday vehicle patterns and pedestrian activity during special events and when schools are in session.

Why it matters: The study will shape potential pedestrian safety changes and capital projects in the central business district and could identify near-term, low-cost measures such as signage and pavement markings as well as longer-term physical changes like curb bump-outs and bollard installations.

Consultant scope and timing

Worthman said KLOA will gather crash data and intersection counts, observe special events along Chicago Avenue and evaluate pedestrian crossings near the railroad. The consultant said the team will produce exhibits and a matrix categorizing recommended actions as short-, mid- and long-term.

Trustees repeatedly urged the consultant and staff to account for downtown special events and suggested measures such as removable bollards to harden closed streets for markets and outdoor dining. "We can look at that and suggest, you know, when you close it off, you know, these are types of things you can do," Worthman said when asked about bollards and street closures.

Scope limits and public safety role

Trustees and Worthman clarified that the traffic study will not replace public-safety planning for intentional-attack scenarios; Worthman said the firm will identify physical improvements and operational recommendations but that detailed security planning would remain the police and fire departments' responsibility. President Collie (title used in the meeting) said police and fire departments would lead on security measures while the study informs physical mitigation.

School zones and future neighborhoods

Trustees discussed sequencing: town-center work is the first step, followed by other neighborhoods and school-zone reviews. Worthman noted the study can examine schools within whichever neighborhood is selected; trustees suggested the next study area would likely focus on school zones.

Cost and contract notes

The meeting record contains inconsistent references to the consultant price: the agenda language presented by staff described a contract "not to exceed $45,000," while later staff comments referenced a recommendation of $54,000. The board did not vote on the contract at this meeting; staff said formal approval and budget action will occur at a later meeting after trustees have had additional time to review scope and community engagement provisions.

What’s next

Trustees asked staff to arrange kickoff meetings and community engagement tied to the consultant's scope; staff and KLOA said traffic counts would be timed to capture special events and school sessions. The board indicated it will vote on the contract and any related budget appropriation at a subsequent meeting.

Ending

The KLOA presentation prompted questions about removable bollards, crowd and event routing, and school-zone coverage but did not result in a vote. Staff will return with the final contract and schedule for trustee approval.