Politics & Government

Will Trader Joe's Cause Traffic Problems?

While residents (literally) applauded a new Trader Joe's store planned for 1211 Chicago Avenue at a meeting with the developer Thursday, they also raised questions about traffic congestion. What do you think?

Mention Chicago Avenue, and you can't blame an Evanstonian for picturing brakelights and orange traffic cones.

A streetscaping project has clogged the street from South Boulevard to Main Street since April, and is expected to continue through June 15. On top of that, both lanes were between Church and Clark Streets yesterday for installation of a chiller system on top of a new apartment building.

So when residents of the new Trader Joe's store planned for 1211 Chicago Ave. last Thursday, many wanted to know about traffic issues. In particular, they worried that the story would create congestion on Chicago Avenue as drivers entered and exited the parking lot. 

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Third ward Alderman Melissa Wynne told residents that the city will be studying any problems once the store opens in spring 2013.

“Remember, this site has been active until just recently,” she said. Wynne also noted that the city installed new, sequenced lighting on Chicago Avenue within the past three years, which adjusts to the flow of traffic.

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“It actually does flow better than it used to,” she said. 

What do you think? Does the city know what it's doing when it comes to traffic on Chicago Avenue? Vote in our poll and share your concerns, if you've got any, in the comments.

 


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