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Belvidere approves stop‑sign changes at two school‑area intersections after debate
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Summary
The committee approved adding two stop signs at 5th Avenue & West 6th Street and replacing yield signs with stop signs at East 5th & Caswell (after a failed amendment to make Caswell a four‑way stop); discussion focused on school safety, warrant criteria and enforcement.
The Belvidere committee on April 13 approved two traffic sign changes aimed at slowing vehicles near Washington School.
Assistant Director Jordan Keck presented intersection reviews. For 5th Avenue and West 6th Street, Keck reported an ADT (average daily traffic) of about 1,200 on 5th and 3,150 on West 6th, and police records showing five accidents at the intersection over five years; Alderman Brereton moved to add two stop signs to create a four‑way stop and the committee approved the motion after discussion that raised speed enforcement and school crossing guard options.
On East 5th and Caswell, Keck said both streets had ADTs under 200 and two accidents since 2021; staff recommended replacing existing yield signs with stop signs. An amendment to convert the location to a four‑way stop drew a roll call and failed on a split vote; the committee then approved the original motion to replace yield signs with stop signs. Mayor Clinton Morris said both items will return in ordinance form.
Council members debated the tradeoffs of installing stop signs where warrants are not met, noting concerns that non‑warranted stop signs can create a false sense of security. Alderman Peterson urged outreach to the school district to consider crossing guards and to prioritize pedestrian safety. The committee indicated enforcement and safe‑routes grant work will support the traffic measures.
