UPDATE: A much-anticipated stop sign has finally been installed at the perilous intersection of Belmont Avenue and Karlov Avenue in Chicago’s Northwest Side, following years of complaints and numerous accidents. The stop sign was placed last Thursday, officially transforming the site into a four-way stop that residents hope will enhance safety.
Local business owner Arlene Luna, who runs the Moonwalker Cafe at 4101 W. Belmont Ave., expressed relief over the change. “Drivers have been colliding outside my shop for years,” Luna stated. “Just last March, a pedestrian and cyclist were struck here within four days.” The installation comes after a recent traffic study and persistent advocacy from community members.
The intersection, which sits at the convergence of the Avondale, Irving Park, and Belmont Gardens neighborhoods, has long been a hotspot for dangerous driving behavior. Jack Blue, co-owner of Moonwalker, noted that customers have already reported feeling safer since the stop sign’s installation. “If it’s safer, even if it costs people a half a second more, I think it’s worth it,” he remarked.
Last April, a car collided with a building adjacent to the cafe, narrowly missing pedestrians. While no injuries were reported, Luna emphasized that the incident could have been tragic. The installation of the stop sign is viewed as a critical step toward reducing potential accidents and saving lives.
The stop sign’s arrival follows a series of traffic studies conducted by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). Initially, a study in 2023 deemed an additional stop sign unnecessary due to varying traffic volumes between Belmont and Karlov. However, local officials, including Ald. Ruth Cruz and Ald. Felix Cardona, have now advocated for this crucial change, noting that many drivers use Karlov as a shortcut to avoid traffic on Pulaski Road.
Despite previous indications that a stop sign could lead to traffic backups, CDOT has now acknowledged the community’s calls for action. A second traffic study, conducted earlier this year, led to the installation of a speed camera in June. However, Blue lamented that traffic remained “terrible,” underscoring the urgent need for the stop sign.
Residents and local business owners are now hopeful that this new measure will significantly reduce the frequency of accidents at the intersection. The emotional impact of the previous collisions has galvanized community support for enhanced safety measures, making this development a critical step forward.
Community members are encouraged to monitor traffic patterns at the intersection and report any ongoing issues to local officials. With the stop sign now in place, there is cautious optimism that it will make a meaningful difference in the safety of both drivers and pedestrians alike.
Stay tuned for more updates on this story as the situation develops.
