Construction flags and traffic signs warn motorists that Water Street between Second Street and Barrington Avenue in East Dundee is no longer a two-way street but not everyone is getting the message, officials said.
East Dundee police are trying to get the word out by giving verbal warnings to those seen not following the street signs, East Dundee Police Chief Joshua Fourdyce said.
“The idea is not to write a bunch of tickets. It’s to get people educated,” Fourdyce said. “We know it’s different, and it can be a little confusing.”
In addition to being a one-way thoroughfare, the village has added parking spaces along the stretch for use by people heading to the village’s a new dock accessing the Fox River and visiting William C. Bartels Park at the intersection of Barrington Avenue and Water Street.
“What is coming soon is a kayak kiosk where people are going to be able to rent kayaks and use the Fox River for recreation. We are excited for it,” Fourdyce said.
Nine parking spaces located along the river and across the street from the dock will provide access to the area.
No traffic is allowed on that section of road because it will essentially be used as a parking lot. It’s part of the East Dundee Riverfront Master Plan and meant to improve and calm traffic on the street, officials said.
But there has been some confusion over signage, Fourdyce said. Originally, there was a no-truck sign that made it seem like it was a no-throughway for trucks only, he said.
“Now the signs are clear,” Fourdyce said.
Signs direct drivers heading north on Water Street to go right onto Second Street, go around Bartels Park, turn left onto Barrington Avenue and then right onto Water Street to continue heading north.
“We’ve recognized there is still a lot of through-traffic despite the signs. We are stopping cars that violate the new traffic pattern,” Fourdyce said.
The drivers he’s stopped have been apologetic, not realizing that the change to a one-way street had been made, he said.
“What I’m informing drivers is this is a new traffic pattern. We are not here to write tickets, just to educate,” he said.
He’s directed his officers to do the same, he said.
“If someone is consistently violating, we may have to take action, but that’s not the goal,” Fourdyce said.
The grace period will continue for a few months, he said. “The intent as we get into the summer is to keep providing education,” Fourdyce said.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
