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Hinsdale review of downtown traffic study recommends signage, markings and phased capital changes
Summary
A KLOA study found Hinsdale's downtown generally functioning with low crash rates and recommended near-term enforcement, signage and pavement markings plus longer-term curb extensions and sidewalk widening; staff plans to implement signs/markings this year and align major work with a federally funded 2029 resurfacing of Garfield Street.
A consultant told the Hinsdale commission on Monday that the village's downtown multimodal system is operating well but could be made safer with targeted, phased improvements.
"The downtown multimodal transportation system is operating well," said Michael Worthman, principal with KLOA, Inc., summarizing findings from counts, crash data and community input gathered for the study. KLOA found intersections generally operating at good levels of service and recorded nine pedestrian/bicycle accidents over about five-and-a-half years.
The study area covered the Central Business District bounded by Maple Street, Garfield Street, 2nd Street and Grant Street and included Village Hall, the library, the downtown commuter lots and Burlington Park. KLOA said it conducted field visits, pedestrian and vehicle counts at 15 intersections, daily traffic counts at six roadway sections and reviewed online survey and open-house feedback.
KLOA proposed a multi-phase approach. Near-term "low-hanging fruit" recommendations include enhanced enforcement of the 20 mph speed limit, better enforcement of short-duration parking stalls, increased signage and high-visibility crosswalk markings. The consultant said many improvements are low-cost and quick to implement.
For longer-term capital work, KLOA recommended extending curb bulbs, adding mid-block curb extensions, widening the sidewalk on 1st Street where outdoor dining occupies the roadway, and tightening some corner radii to slow turning vehicles. The firm noted that several suggested physical improvements should be coordinated with planned resurfacing work.
Staff told the commission that markings and many signs are planned for installation this year and that intersection improvements along Garfield Street would be timed to a federally funded resurfacing project currently scheduled for 2029, with engineering beginning in 2028. "We have plans in place to implement near-term improvements both this year and in future years," staffer Matt said.
The final report reduced an initially proposed set of speed-limit signs from six down to one, and staff said the implementation inventory calls for 16 signs added, nine removed and 21 replaced for a net gain of seven signs downtown.
Commissioners raised specific concerns about a mid-block crosswalk near the post office, noting that encouraging a crossing in that location could back up traffic across the railroad tracks. Worthman said removing a crossing can simply shift unsafe crossings elsewhere and recommended design measures (including curb and ADA ramp changes or landscaping) to discourage risky crossings while improving safety where people do cross.
Next steps: the commission expressed consensus to forward the recommendations to the Hinsdale Village Board for further discussion and approval; staff will prepare bid documents and bring them back subject to board approval.
