Traffic Guy

The Traffic Guy Hears...

... that, starting Dec. 1, weather or not, snow-parking regulations will be in effect. Don't park overnight on snow routes, advises Public Works Director David Jennings. Visit www.cityofevanston.org or check out the City's "Highlights" for the full Monty. When in doubt, call 847-864-SNOW. Speaking of snow, TG hears that there were twice as many participants in the Paint Our Plows contest, in which the City invited schools to paint the snowplow blades. This year's theme was "Save Our Trees." One way to do that, of course, is to keep the snow salt away from them.

... that, speaking of snow salt, the City is going to purchase 5,000 tons of salt for the winter (using money from the Snow and Ice Control Fund). Through the Northwest Municipal Conference, the City of Evanston can use the bid of the Township of Palatine. (Ventriloquism?)

... that yard waste collections will end on Dec. 13. By now, of course, all your leaves are mulched, appropriate plants cut down and composted.

... that the City is in the process of purchasing 600 QL induction lighting units form Elcast Lighting in Addison to complete the Tallmadge streetlight upgrade project. Philips' QL was the world's first commercial induction lighting system, according to an induction lighting website. It offers a service lifetime of 100,000 hours, owing to the fact that no filament or electrodes are used in the design.The QL system is comprised of three principal elements; the light generating discharge vessel, an antenna to couple power into the lamp, and an HF generator to drive the antenna. The cost for the 600 units for our beautiful and beloved Tallmadges is just under $160,000.

... that the Emerson Street bridge replacement project is underway. We've just shucked out about $84,000 for our share, and the Illinois Department of Transportation should be kicking in some as well - it's their bridge, since it's on a state highway. And it's costing the state $5.5 million.

... that the Sheridan Road detour route as proposed places an undo burden on the Girard, Garrison and Isabella neighbors in Evanston, but John Burke from the City of Evanston said he is reviewing the route.

... that a lot of stuff is coming down around town: the former Drummer Drapery site, on Lake Street over by Penny Park and The Main building is almost demolished:

... that Metra may be increasing its fare by 10 percent early next year - that is, Feb. 1. If the increase goes into effect, one-way tickets would increase from $3 to $3.35 and monthly tickets from $82.35 to $90.50.

... the old Marshall Field building is being "spiffed up" for the holidays.

... that the City's water - which won out over several types of bottled water in a Farmers Market taste test this summer - also defeated other municipal waters in a blind taste-test with the Northwest Waterworks Association. Our pure droplets will compete in the nationals next spring.

... that James Wolinski, head of the City's Community Development department, is also leaving City employ. The City is conducting a nationwide search to fill that position and the position of director of public works. Keep sending your rumors of folks retiring from the City to exodus@evanstonroundtable.com
From our readers:

TG: Has anyone else noticed that when driving south on McCormick Boulevard, the overhead cross street signage is positioned too far to the west at the intersection?

If you don't live around here, you will not know you are at the intersection of
McCormick and Church, for example, until 30 feet from the actual intersection.

The cross signage announcing Church Street is obscured by the trees. If you are traveling south and need to turn east, you can easily miss the proper lane change. This is also true going south on McCormick at Dempster and also at Main. The actual street sign needs to be more centered over the intersection.

I have not noticed if it is the same problem going north, but I'll look for it now. This one is so basic. Check it out, and let me know what you think.

Keep up the good work, Andy Patino

From TG: TG agrees, the signs along McCormick are, for the most part, hung for "insiders."

TG: Re: Parallel Streets With the Same Name
Add Pitner to parallel street list
Of same-name roadways which coexist
Between Lee and Greenleaf
One provides truck relief
With traffic-prevention curb assist. - Jay Bagby

TG: I noticed in the City's Highlights magazine a teen program called a "Limousine Scavenger Hunt." What kind of silliness are we urging our kids to indulge in? It costs $120 a team of 6 residents. Ages encouraged to participate were grades 5-10. - Janet Messenger

From TG: Maybe we're letting them in on the secret that you never can be too young to practice being a politician. TG would like to see a bicycle scavenger hunt - much more reasonable and much greener.

TG: This year's Christmas tree was cut from an Evanston yard, original planted
by a young Gary Anton of Anton's Greenhouse on Pitner over 40 years ago. The City apparently had a problem with the tree they originally were going to use, went to Anton's and asked Gary if they could cut his down for the City tree, and he said OK."

From TG: TG agrees - it's nice to have our Christmas tree from Evanston. Anton's Greenhouse supplies so many of our holiday greens and plants, it's nice to have Gary Anton's tree in the center of our community.

The Traffic Guy thinks...

... that City Council is going to have to think long and hard about how to solve their image problem. They met, imprudently, shall we say, and in violation of the Open Meetings Act, with the developer of the proposed downtown tower. That's one bell they can't unring.

... that the transportation-funding standoff between the legislature and the Guv reminds TG of this Texas law (extracted from TG's long-term memory and verified at the website cufmnstuffem.com, which lists strange laws): "It is Texas law that when two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone."