People expecting to cross the Union Pacific railroad tracks between Westmore Avenue and Grace Street in Lombard and Villa Park may face another obstacle this summer.
Before even risking your life by traversing the tracks between designated crossings, you may have to clear some thorny shrubs.
After more than an hour of prodding by concerned residents, the Lombard village board’s traffic and safety committee agreed to fast-track a proposal to plant thorn bushes along the Lombard side of the tracks.
Public Works Director Wes Anderson said if Union Pacific is agreeable to the plan, bushes could be in place in several weeks.
The brief time frame is possible because Lombard already has a beautification agreement with many of the legal details already in place with the railroad. The exact specifications-location, type and size of plants-is what needs to be determined and approved by Union Pacific and subsequently the village board.
"We’re pushing as fast as we can," committee member Tom Murphy said. "It is frustrating. Just putting in a stop sign takes months and months. We will get something done. One life saved is worth all of it."
The committee’s effort follows the death in February of 14-year-old Kristen Bowen of Lombard, who was killed trying to cross the tracks at Ahrens Avenue.
Committee member Paul Larkin, choked with emotion, said: "I’d go out there and plant them right now if I could. But it doesn’t work that way."
Committee members explained that they needed to work out the details, review liability and other legal issues before approving anything.
"I feel like I’m getting a politician’s run-around," teenager Abby Wilkinson said. "It doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere."
Residents said they already had pledges and donations to cover some of the cost of the bushes. John Davis said his employer would donate digging equipment, if it was needed, and his daughter and some friends are holding a car wash to raise money.
The Car wash will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20 at the Villa Park VFW on St. Charles Road, just east of Ardmore Avenue.
Reprinted with permission from the Daily Herald