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Latest News
Current Status
Purpose and Background
Project Scope
Public Involvement
Latest News
Council to Consider South Downtown Traffic Management Study on
May 18, 2010
The City Council will consider the draft South Downtown Traffic Management Study at its meeting on May 18, 2010. The draft study is available below.
Draft South Downtown Traffic Management Study Now Available
The Draft South Downtown Traffic Management Study is now available below. The Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) reviewed the draft study at its meeting on Saturday, February 6, 2010. The discussion was continued at the March 6, 2010 TAB meeting.
Current Status
A public meeting was held on May 27, 2009, to introduce this study, provide background information and gain initial community input regarding concerns and potential opportunities. Following is the presentation from the meeting:
Comments regarding the South Downtown Traffic Management Study are being accepted through June 5, 2009. Please submit the completed form to:
City of Naperville
Attn: Andy Hynes, Project Engineer
400 S. Eagle Street
Naperville, IL 60566
Purpose and Background
The City of Naperville has initiated a traffic management study to evaluate options for improving traffic flow and pedestrian connectivity along the southern perimeter of the Downtown Area. The study area is generally bounded by Chicago Avenue/Aurora Avenue, West Street, Martin Avenue, and Washington Street. An illustration of the study area can be viewed by clicking on the following link:
The need for this traffic study was generated by the significant number of new development and renovation projects that are anticipated within the study area within the new few years. These projects include:
- The Water Street District Development
- Naperville Central High School Renovation
- Naper Settlement Expansion
In addition, the Water Street Vision Statement (adopted by the city in 2006) outlined several transportation oriented goals regarding improving pedestrian connectivity between Naper Settlement and the Riverwalk, improving area traffic flow and minimizing traffic impacts on the neighborhood south of Aurora Avenue. Specific goals from the Vision Statement related to this project include:
- Upgrade Webster Street to create a pedestrian link between the Downtown and Naper Settlement.
- Improve the intersection of Aurora Avenue and Webster Street to provide a better pedestrian connection between the areas south of Aurora Avenue and the Riverwalk.
- Encourage multiple pedestrian connections from the Riverwalk and Naper Settlement into the Water Street Study Area.
- Provide road network improvements which improve the current traffic flow within and surrounding the Water Street Study Area, particularly through the improvement of various intersections, Main Street Bridge, the existing alley, addition of turning lanes/traffic signals, and the removal of on-street parking conflicts.
- Undertake a traffic study to determine the impacts of a proposed redevelopment on the existing road network within and adjacent to the Water Street Study Area.
- Ensure that the impact of increased traffic related to the proposed redevelopment is minimized, particularly in the residential neighborhood located to the south of the Water Street Study Area, along Webster, Main, and Porter Streets (south of Aurora Avenue).
Project Scope
With the relatively small width of the public right-of-way in the study area and the close proximity of adjacent building structures, there are limited opportunities for expansion of roadways or intersections. As a result, this study will focus on identifying short term and long term traffic management and operational strategies that do not require significant road widening or land acquisition. These strategies may include items such as the addition of traffic signals, turn restrictions, turn lanes, pavement markings and signage.
Four preliminary alternatives have been developed and will be presented at the public meeting for preliminary feedback. All of these alternatives are variations of potential modifications to the intersection of Main Street and/or Webster Street with Aurora Avenue and are:
- Install a traffic signal at the intersection of Aurora Avenue and Webster Street.
- Install a traffic signal at the intersection of Aurora Avenue and Webster Street and remove the existing traffic signal at Aurora Avenue and Main Street. Convert the north and south approaches of Aurora Avenue and Main Street to right-in/right out access only.
- Install a traffic signal at the intersection of Aurora Avenue and Webster Street. Convert only the south approach of both Aurora Avenue at Main Street and Webster Street to right-in/right-out access.
- Convert only the south approach of both Aurora Avenue at Main Street and Webster Street to right-in/right-out access.
Following is a graphic depiction of these alternatives:
Additional alternatives will be developed throughout the project. Following the public meeting, staff and our consultant will analyze and evaluate potential alternatives. Short term and long term traffic management strategies will be developed. A second public meeting will also be conducted to gain feedback on the proposed recommendations. Ultimately, these recommendations will be presented to TAB and City Council for their consideration. Project completion is anticipated in late summer/early fall 2009.
Public Involvement
A public meeting was held on May 27, 2009 to introduce this study, provide background information, and gain initial community input regarding concerns and potential opportunities
In addition to the public meeting, staff has already conducted introductory meetings with various stakeholders in the area including:
- Downtown Advisory Committee
- Naperville Central High School
- Naperville Park District
- Naperville Settlement
- Water Street District Developer
For questions or comments about the meeting or the project, please contact City of Naperville Project Engineer Andy Hynes at (630) 548-2958.
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