TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve a recommendation to remove the no left turn prohibition at the intersection of Chicago Ave and Ellsworth St
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Lisa Weesner, PE, Civil Engineer
BACKGROUND:
Staff received a request from the Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) to evaluate the east-to-northbound left turn prohibition at the intersection of Chicago Ave and Ellsworth St. DAC believes that the left turn restriction negatively complicates vehicular traffic for downtown patrons such as those trying to access the upper decks of the parking facility and the residents in the neighborhood east of downtown. Drivers must travel a circuitous route through an already heavily trafficked area of the college campus. North Central College is in support of this request.
DISCUSSION:
The intersection of Chicago Av. and Ellsworth St. is a signalized T-intersection, with Ellsworth St. intersecting Chicago Avenue from the north. Left turns from eastbound Chicago Av. to northbound Ellsworth St. are currently prohibited. Chicago Av. also intersects Washington St. approximately 745 feet west of the subject intersection and Brainard St. approximately 395 feet to the east.
The Chicago Av. and Ellsworth St. intersection was previously evaluated in 2005 and again in 2007 in conjunction with the development of the North Central College Fine Arts Center (FAC). Analyses, based on the projected traffic volumes associated with the proposed FAC, concluded that the eastbound left-turn prohibition was necessary to maintain acceptable traffic circulation in the area. In 2022, traffic volumes were collected at the intersection as part of the North Central College Parking Pavilion development. Additional traffic counts were collected in 2025 for comparison. A review of the 2022 and 2025 data found that traffic volumes have remained generally consistent, even considering the development ...
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