Reduce Speed Limit at RR Tracks?

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
October 2, 2007

This evening I was almost clobbered by a speeder who was westbound on Calhoun and who came flying across the railroad tracks as I started northbound on Madison Street to cross Calhoun. The intersection is a three-way stop. All cars stop (well, you know what I mean) except for westbound traffic.

The unposted speed limit is 30MPH on Calhoun. The sight distance for Madison Street traffic is short. By the time you look left, right, left and right again, then start up after looking straight again, it's possible to pull in front of a westbound car.

The driver tonight appeared to traveling 35+ MPH. I made it across, but just barely. He didn't seem to brake, perhaps wanting to see just how close to me he could get.

I suggest to the City that the speed limit on westbound Calhoun be lowered to 25MPH. When a speed limit gets changed on one side of a street, it gets changed on the other, too. That won't be so bad here, because then maybe traffic on Seminary will have a chance to cross Calhoun.

I'll suggest this to Public Works. What do you think?

Email PWDept@woodstockil.gov or call them at (815) 338-6118.