BREAKING: A long-awaited stop sign has just been installed at the perilous intersection of Belmont Avenue and Karlov Avenue in Irving Park, following years of community complaints and numerous accidents. The installation, which transformed the intersection into a four-way stop, occurred last Thursday, bringing immediate relief to local residents and business owners.
Arlene Luna, owner of the popular Moonwalker Cafe, has been vocal about the urgent need for traffic control at this site. “Drivers are constantly colliding outside my shop,” Luna expressed, recalling a shocking incident last March when both a pedestrian and a cyclist were struck just four days apart.
The intersection is notorious for its dangers, with Luna noting a previous incident in April when a vehicle jumped the curb, crashing into a neighboring storefront. “If it’s safer, even if it’s gonna cost people a half a second more, I think it’s worth it,” said Jack Blue, Luna’s partner and co-owner of Moonwalker, highlighting the immediate need for enhanced safety measures.
Located where the Avondale, Irving Park, and Belmont Gardens neighborhoods converge, this intersection is split between two city wards, represented by Ald. Ruth Cruz and Ald. Felix Cardona. Both officials have acknowledged the problem, with Cardona noting that drivers often cut through residential areas to avoid heavy traffic on nearby Pulaski Road.
Despite a 2023 traffic study that deemed the addition of a stop sign ineffective due to differing traffic volumes, community pressure persisted. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) had initially argued that a new stop sign could lead to significant traffic backups extending into the Pulaski intersection. However, a second traffic study conducted earlier this year prompted a change in strategy, culminating in the installation of the stop sign.
Residents are already reporting a marked difference in safety perceptions. “Traffic remains terrible even with the speed camera installed in June, but I believe the stop sign will make a big difference,” Blue remarked, reflecting the community’s hope for safer streets.
Local officials and residents alike have long advocated for a solution to this dangerous intersection, and the recent installation is a crucial step forward. As the community begins to adapt to this new traffic control measure, the focus will shift to monitoring its effectiveness in reducing accidents and enhancing pedestrian safety.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops and community feedback continues to shape traffic management in the area.
