La Grange officials  and the village’s traffic consultant have developed  short-term and long-term solutions for all IDOT corridors through La Grange as a result of a June 2 public meeting held following the death of Countryside mother Cari Cook, killed while crossing 47th Street last month.

The base plan developed for 47th Street consists of realigning sidewalks to provide more direct access across 47th Street. The La Grange Public Works Department began work June 24.

 Parallel bar crosswalks will be installed at cross streets on both sides of 47th Street. However, residents are encouraged to cross 47th Street at signalized intersections and at the 9th Avenue pedestrian crosswalk for controlled and thus safer crossing movements. The Village is in the process of scheduling uling this work with a private contractor.
 
Additional enhancements to the pedestrian crossing on 47th Street at 9th Avenue include:

-Additional advance warning signs
 
-installing advance warning pavement markings
 
-installing dual flashing yellow beacons on both sides of 47th Street, and in both directions; signs to be illuminated to increase visibility at night
 
-push-button activation by pedestrian
 
-Reduce speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph

Other improvements have been identified  as long-term goals, including reducing the speed from 35 to 25 mph on La Grange Road south of 47th Street and from 30 to 25 mph on Ogden Avenue, a pedestrian bridge over Ogden Avenue and  another pedestrian crossing on 47th Street for residents to access Waiola Park.