Council orders two-way stop on Caswell at East Fifth after neighbor testimony

The Belvidere City Council voted May 4 to install a two-way stop on Caswell Street at East Fifth following public testimony about recurring crashes and a council amendment that moved the stop to Caswell.

Residents pressed the council for action. "We have had multiple accidents in our yard... my husband could have been out there mowing the yard and would have been killed," said Linda Lenhard, who told the council she has lived at Caswell and Fifth for 31 years. John Fish, who said he has lived on the 900 block of Caswell for 39 years, urged a four-way stop and recounted being struck previously at an intersection that later was converted to a four-way stop.

The council discussed safety options and the limits of signage. Director Anderson told the council that "stop signs are not intended as a speed control device" and that the department uses flags and temporary measures when new stop signs are installed. Anderson also said traffic warrants did not support installing a four-way stop at the location.

Alderman Peterson proposed an amendment to place the two-way stop on Caswell rather than on East Fifth; the amendment passed by roll call. A subsequent motion to convert the intersection to a four-way stop failed. The ordinance as amended — establishing a two-way stop on Caswell at East Fifth — passed by roll-call vote.

Council members and staff said the change will be accompanied by visible notification of the new traffic control (flags) and that the city will explore increased enforcement and temporary speed trailers to remind drivers of the new condition. Director Anderson asked staff to flag the intersection because it represents a substantial change from neighborhood traffic patterns.

The council recorded the action as an amendment and passage of ordinance 758HH; the mayor thanked residents for attending and providing testimony.