Traffic Commission makes recommendation to improve pedestrian safety near QU

3 months, 1 week ago by Bob Gough

City, university working together following accident involving student

The City of Quincy’s Traffic Commission has agreed to forward recommendations to improve pedestrian safety on Chestnut Street between 18th and 20th Street near the Quincy University campus.

Alderman Dave Bauer (D-2nd Ward) asked the commission to look into the safety following an accident last month where a QU student suffered severe injuries.

Shannon Peters, 19, of Elk Grove Village, was struck by a car on January 7 while crossing Chestnut. She was taken to Intensive Care Unit at Blessing Hospital. She is currently in Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plains, where she is suffering from a brain injury.

From journal-topics.com: According to the accident report, the driver, a 71-year-old woman, did not appear to be distracted or speeding. Peters crossed the road mid-block, for lack of a traffic light, and was hit while trying to reach friends who were waiting for her in a parked car.

The Committee made the following recommendations, which will go to the full City Council:

Add north/south crosswalk pavement markings at 20th and Chestnut. The east/west markings are already there.

Install two solar powered LED Pedestrian warning signs. One east of 18th and Chestnut and the other just west of 20th and Chestnut. QU would pay for the signs ($1,700 each) while the City would pay for the installation and maintenance.

Add higher-powered bulbs in the five streetlights in the area.

Work with the QU students and administration to develop a pedestrian campus safety campaign.

QU President Robert Gervasi said the school wanted to provide increased safety and security and called the city’s plan “very fair.”