Committee directs ordinance to set River Road at 30 mph after improvements, amid calls for 25 mph

The Public Works & Infrastructure Committee on May 12 directed the city attorney to prepare an ordinance establishing a 30 mile‑per‑hour speed limit for River Road after planned road improvements, following a staff presentation of a Kimley‑Horn traffic study.

Public Works Director Phil Kuchler said the study showed existing 85th‑percentile speeds for the studied corridors exceeded 40 mph and that traffic volumes during the study period were about 3,800 vehicles per day on Warrenville Road and about 973 vehicles per day on River Road. Kuchler and the traffic engineer recommended lowering River Road to 30 mph in light of planned curb‑and‑gutter work, expanded school‑zone signage near Cerny Park and adding radar speed signs near Woodland crossing.

During debate Alderman Lockett argued for a 25 mph residential standard and cited safety statistics: "A pedestrian hit at 25 miles an hour has a 90 percent chance of survival. Somebody hit at 30 has a 75 percent chance of survival." Alderman Weidner also favored 25 mph and referenced rising fatality trends; other aldermen and staff warned that a 25 mph posting could be difficult to enforce, might create diversion to other streets and that pavement cross‑section constraints limit additional calming features.

Alderman Kreukenberg moved and Alderman Davalos seconded a motion directing the city attorney to prepare a 30 mph ordinance for River Road after construction; the committee approved the motion by voice vote with at least one nay recorded. Staff said the police chief reviewed the recommendation and supports 30 mph based on current data and enforcement considerations. The ordinance will be drafted for council consideration.