UPDATE: A long-awaited stop sign was installed at the perilous intersection of Belmont and Karlov avenues in Irving Park last Thursday, following years of complaints and numerous accidents. Local business owner Arlene Luna, who runs Moonwalker Cafe, has been advocating for traffic safety measures due to frequent collisions near her establishment.
The newly implemented four-way stop aims to enhance safety for pedestrians and drivers alike. Luna reported that the intersection has been a hotspot for accidents, including incidents involving a pedestrian and a cyclist just four days apart last March. “Drivers are constantly colliding outside my shop,” Luna stated, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Customers of Moonwalker Cafe have already expressed relief at the change. Luna’s partner, Jack Blue, noted that the new stop sign has significantly improved safety perceptions among patrons. “If it’s safer, even if it’s gonna cost people a half a second more, I think it’s worth it,” Blue remarked, emphasizing the importance of community safety over convenience.
The intersection, situated at the convergence of the Avondale, Irving Park, and Belmont Gardens neighborhoods, is under the jurisdiction of both Ald. Ruth Cruz of the 30th Ward and Ald. Felix Cardona of the 31st Ward. Cardona previously indicated that drivers often bypass Pulaski Road traffic by using Karlov, a residential southbound one-way street. Luna suspects that speeding drivers on Belmont are attempting to catch green lights at nearby intersections.
In 2023, a traffic study was conducted, but the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) initially deemed a stop sign ineffective, citing significant discrepancies in traffic volume between Belmont and Karlov. CDOT spokesperson Erica Schroeder stated earlier this year that federal guidelines discourage four-way stops in such scenarios due to potential traffic backups.
However, a second traffic study was conducted earlier this year, leading to the installation of a speed camera in June. Despite this, Blue reported that traffic conditions remained “terrible,” underscoring the necessity for the newly installed stop sign to mitigate risks.
As residents and local businesses celebrate this critical safety enhancement, the community is urged to remain vigilant. The intersection’s new traffic measure could serve as a model for other neighborhoods facing similar dangers.
Keep an eye on this developing story as authorities monitor the impact of the stop sign on traffic flow and safety at this notorious intersection.
