Arbor Avenue residents urge West Chicago to add signage and step up enforcement as large-truck traffic rises

Steve Troy and other Arbor Avenue residents told the Public Affairs Committee on July 21 that large-truck traffic — including 18-wheelers — has risen on Arbor Avenue and nearby residential streets over several months, creating hazards for pedestrians and cyclists and stressing parked cars and pavement.

"Over the past several months, we've noticed a significant increase in not just class five and above trucks, 18 wheelers actually traversing Arbor Avenue...it poses a danger to the pedestrians on our streets," resident Steve Troy said, asking the city for signage and enforcement.

Troy said trucks are following GPS and using the neighborhood as a shortcut and that signage previously placed at Route 59 had been removed during sidewalk work. He and other residents provided photographs to document the issue and described peak-hour speeding as an additional concern.

A police representative acknowledged the problem, said Commander Reley would follow up after the meeting and that the department would try to allocate enforcement resources and review possible signage locations.

Why it matters: large trucks on narrow residential streets increase the risk of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries, cause accelerated pavement damage, and can depress nearby property prices, according to residents. The committee's response — signage review and stepped-up enforcement — is the typical municipal remedy for cut-through truck traffic.

Next steps: police will follow up with residents; public-works and police staff were asked to examine signage and enforcement options.