Transportation: November 2008 Archives

A group of developers who own property near the Route 59 Metra station are planning to meet with the city to discuss a plan to turn their land into between 170 and 180 commuter parking spots, which they will sell to commuters for $8,900.

The owners estimate that with a loan, the spots would cost an average commuter $30 a month, while the city charges $120 for residents and $145 for nonresidents every three months for a permit in its lot.

There is currently an estimated two-year wait for a permit at the Route 59 lot, and a 6 ½ and nine-year wait for a permit in the downtown lots.

With these factors in mind, do you think it makes sense to buy one of these spots if the plan is approved? Would you buy one? Do you think they will sell out, and if so, how quickly?

DuPage County says it's going to experiment with a combination of salt and beet juice to help save money this winter when clearing roads of ice and snow. Sounds like a science experiment from junior high, but whatever works. And here in Naperville, we're all for saving taxpayer money.

Apparently the huge piles of snow from last year depleted stockpiles, causing salt prices to skyrocket. Last season, DuPage's highway department laid 33,000 tons of salt - 9,000 more tons of salt than originally planned. The Chicago area received 60.3 inches of snow from November 2007 through March 2008. The average is 38 inches.

Let's hope this winter doesn't bring that much of the white stuff. Officials say we won't, but county crews already used the mixture earlier this week, spreading about 2,500 gallons on the county's bridges, hills, curves and two-lane roads.

What do you expect this winter? Any better ideas than beet juice? How do you plan to prepare for the onslaught of freezing temperatures and snowstorms?

The city's Web site says that during construction on the intersection at 75th and Washington streets, motorists who live in that immediate area should use Modaff, Gartner and Olesen roads for north/south travel and Bailey Road for east/west travel as alternate routes. The projecct is slated to get under way sometime this month but will pick up steam sometime in March after the worst of winter is over.

A column Friday warned readers that traffic there, which already is difficult, will only get worse during the reconstruction project where lanes will be widened, turn lanes improved and a sound barrier installed for Maplebrook neighborhoods. But in the end, the headache should be worth the improvements.

Several readers expressed concern about taking any detour through neighborhoods where kids are walking to school and playing outside.

If you commute through this intersection, what are your detour plans? If you live in one of these neighborhoods, what is your suggestion for avoiding the area? What is your biggest concern about more motorists driving down your streets?