Hinsdale has turned the intersection of Grand and Fourth streets into a four-way stop, following crashes there earlier this year and additional assessment.
The intersection previously had a two-way stop, with Grant Street having the right-of way. The move to a four-way stop required Village Board approval, which came in September in a first reading and again Tuesday Oct. 1 in a second reading.
Deputy police Chief Thomas Lillie said a resident’s inquiry led to an assessment of the intersection after two crashes occurred in February and March.
“A subsequent study revealed that pedestrian warning signs on North and South Grant Street were being misinterpreted by drivers on Fourth Street as stop signs, a conclusion supported by both residents and staff,” he said.
Lillie said in response to that confusion, the pedestrian warning signs were removed to improve safety. However, a third crash, a right-angle collision occurred in June, bringing the total to three incidents within six months. A five-year analysis showed five crashes overall, with three occurring in the first half of 2024, while there were no crashes in 2023 and one each in 2022 and 2023, Lillie said.
He said while the crash data alone did not justify the installation of a four-way stop, staff undertook a thorough analysis of vehicle and pedestrian patterns associated with the arrival and dismissal of nearby St. Isaac Jogues School, Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale Middle School and Madison School.
He added that findings from this study included a notable increase of 50 new families enrolling at St. Isaac Jogues, which has led to increased vehicle traffic in the area. Additionally, as part of St. Isaac Jogues dismissal procedures, vehicle traffic is directed eastbound on Fourth Street toward the Grant Street intersection, where a diverse pedestrian population, including students from St. Isaac Jogues, Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 and Hinsdale High School District 86, cross from multiple directions at the beginning and end of school days.
In order to make the intersection a four-way stop, Hinsdale had to adhere to guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which outlines specific warrants and requirements that must be satisfied prior to the installation of any traffic control devices or signage.
“Staff identified a need to mitigate left-turn and yield conflicts due to the high volume of pedestrian and bicyclist activity at the intersection during peak traffic and pedestrian periods,” Lillie said.
He said the budget impact of making the intersection a four-way stop is minimal because of minor equipment and labor costs to install the signs and posts.
“During school dismissal times, there may be more vehicle congestion on Grant Street backed up for the new stop sign, but that should quickly clear out,” Lillie said. “Motorists may even choose alternative routes to avoid it.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
