City officials are looking at ways to make a pair of downtown Galesburg streets safer for motorists and pedestrians, including reducing the speed limit on a portion of Main Street.
The Galesburg Police Department received requests to address a lack of speed limit signs and issues with speeding on West Main Street between the public square and Henderson Street. The speed limit in that corridor is 35 mph.
The Traffic Advisory Committee discussed the existing speed limit of 35 mph west of the public square and came to a consensus that a 25 mph speed limit similar to the rest of the downtown area made more sense between the public square and Academy Street — especially with the addition of the new library and the potential for increased pedestrian traffic in the area. The speed limit would remain 35 mph from Academy Street to the west.
Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson tells WGIL any changes to the speed limit on Main Street would have to meet approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation since that portion of the road is a state highway.
“In fact, the end result may be different than the TAC discussion after conferring with IDOT officials,” Hanson said. “TAC is merely a recommending committee and not all TAC recommendations move forward and/or are approved.
“I expect that to be the case this time given 30 mph is a more common speed on state routes within urban areas, however this process allows us to move the discussion forward prior to/if any recommendation is considered by council.”
TAC also recommended to add speed limit signs just west of the public square. Currently, there are speed limit signs for both eastbound and westbound traffic on the west side of Moffitt Bridge between Walnut and Garfield avenues, however there are no other speed limit signs in this corridor.
Parent of student: Address pedestrian safety near Knox College
Meanwhile, a request was made by a parent of a Knox College student to address safety concerns for pedestrians on South Street near the Knox campus. TAC reviewed a similar request most recently in 2020, however, this issue has been reviewed by TAC several other times in the past.
Currently, “Stop Here for Pedestrian” signs are in the roadway at the crossings on South Street in front of the college. These were installed as a result of a previous measure to increase pedestrian safety on South Street in 2012. In 2020, radar feedback signs were installed near West Street and near Cherry Street. The installation of the radar feedback signs was a result of a recommendation by Council.
TAC has recommended the city upgrade pedestrian safety measures in the corridor, including installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, striping and potential street lighting improvements. Knox College has agreed to share in the expense of the RRFB’s.
Hanson noted with the city scheduled to resurface South Street between Academy and Kellogg streets this summer, it would be a good opportunity to implement any changes.
TAC also discussed a citizen request to consider potential traffic concerns at the new community garden on Avenue B and West First Street.
The committee determined traffic volume to the community garden is likely to be low and did not believe a change was needed in the area. The city will monitor for potential issues in the future when the community garden is developed.
