The state Department of Transportation has rejected a request by Village of North Hills Mayor Marvin Natiss’ request for a stop sign at the exit ramp of the Northern State Parkway at Shelter Rock Road, claiming that it would be “inappropriate” to replace the existing yield sign, Natiss reported at the village board of trustees meeting on Thursday.
“It sounds to me like we’re fighting a real uphill battle,” Natiss said. “They’ve indicated that even though I have an ongoing monthly request for a stop sign investigation, they’ve identified only 32 accidents occurring in that specific area.”
The mayor said he believes a stop sign would greatly reduce the number of accidents at that intersection and was disappointed in the DOT’s decision.
In a letter to Natiss, DOT Regional Traffic Engineer Frank Pearson said his department had reviewed information from the state Department of Motor Vehicles and police reports, identifying the 32 accidents occurring near the area of Shelter Rock Road and the Northern State Parkway and I-495.
But, Pearson said, the data was not enough to implement a stop sign.
“The analysis did not show a pattern of accidents that would necessitate changing the existing ‘Yield’ ramp control to a ‘Stop’ control,” he wrote.
Pearson said a stop sign would cause more congestion and result in more rear-enders.
“A ‘Stop’ control on the ramp would result in additional congestion and accidents, especially the rear-end type on both the ramp and the eastbound lanes of Northern Parkway,” he said in the letter.
Natiss said police reported two more accidents since the report was made, bringing the total to the area to 34.
“I will send them another letter every month,” Natiss said. “There’s nothing more I can do.”
The mayor said he believes that state DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald is responsible for the rejection.
“It looks to me that the commissioner doesn’t see our way so maybe we’ll have to wait until there’s a new commissioner,” Natiss said.
