UPDATE: A long-awaited stop sign has finally been installed at the notorious intersection of Belmont and Karlov avenues in Irving Park, following years of complaints and multiple accidents. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) confirmed that the installation occurred last Thursday, transforming the intersection into a four-way stop, a critical change for local residents and business owners.
Arlene Luna, owner of Moonwalker Cafe, expressed relief over the new safety measure. “Drivers constantly collided outside my shop,” she stated. “Just last March, a pedestrian and a cyclist were hit just four days apart.” This change comes after persistent requests from Luna and neighbors who have long sought solutions to the dangerous traffic conditions.
The intersection, a hotspot for accidents, is located where the Avondale, Irving Park, and Belmont Gardens neighborhoods converge. It falls under the jurisdiction of both the 30th Ward, represented by Ald. Ruth Cruz, and the 31st Ward, represented by Ald. Felix Cardona. Cardona has previously noted that many drivers use Karlov Avenue as a shortcut to avoid congestion on Pulaski Road.
Witnesses to the chaos include Luna’s partner, Jack Blue, who reported that customers already feel safer with the new stop sign. “If it’s safer, even if it costs people a half a second more, I think it’s worth it,” he remarked. Just weeks before the stop sign was installed, Luna recalled a harrowing incident in April when a vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into a nearby storefront, narrowly missing a group of pedestrians.
This safety upgrade follows a 2023 traffic study that initially deemed a stop sign unnecessary, citing the lower traffic volume on Karlov Avenue compared to Belmont Avenue. However, the situation escalated, prompting a second study this year and the installation of a speed camera in June. Despite this, Blue described traffic conditions as “terrible,” highlighting the urgent need for the stop sign.
The community’s perseverance has finally paid off, but the fight for safer streets continues. As local officials and residents remain vigilant, all eyes will be on the impact of this new stop sign and whether it truly makes a difference in reducing accidents and improving safety at this critical intersection.
Residents are encouraged to share their experiences and feedback as they adapt to this important change. The need for traffic safety remains paramount, and community voices will be vital in shaping future solutions.
