Resident urges fixes at 53rd Street near YMCA; council approves new stop sign and advances parking changes
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Summary
A Moline resident urged council action to address crashes and pedestrian safety at the 53rd Street/5th Avenue area; council later approved adding a northbound stop sign at 53rd and advanced a related parking change for additional review.
A Moline resident on Dec. 17 requested city action to improve safety at the 53rd Street area near the YMCA, citing a sharp curve, restricted sight lines, frequent parked cars and dangerous speeds.
Michael Williams, who gave his address as 1708 53rd Street, told the council that buses have difficulty navigating the curve adjacent to the YMCA, that drivers sometimes treat the segment like a racetrack and that schoolchildren cross the roadway. Williams recommended straightening the roadway, installing speed bumps, building an overhead crossing or installing a traffic signal or roundabout to reduce crashes and vehicle speeds.
The council considered a related staff recommendation and approved an ordinance amendment to add a northbound stop sign on 53rd Street at 5th Avenue. City staff said the traffic engineering committee reviewed the intersection and noted restricted sight distance, offset legs and a recent crash history; the committee recommended a northbound stop sign as an appropriate safety measure. Alderperson Finch moved the motion to approve; Alderson Macias seconded. The motion passed.
Council members also discussed additional measures such as “stop ahead” signs and public-notice signage before installing the new control. Staff said public works would explore advance dynamic signage and add pavement- or intersection-level treatments during winter maintenance (plowing and salting) to ensure safe stopping in winter conditions.
Separately, the council advanced to second reading a parking ordinance amendment affecting 6th Avenue near 53rd Street that modifies no-parking zones. That item was moved forward for a second reading (motion by Finch, second by Castro) so the council can finalize statutory language and allow further review.
Ending — Council members indicated they will monitor crash reports after the sign installation and asked staff to provide advance notice to residents and temporary signage to reduce surprise. No timeline for physical installation was specified in the meeting record.