Riverwalk area an (un)popular shortcut
If people who use West Dundee's river walk had a wish, they'd rub their magic lamps and slow the cars that are driven along Lincoln Avenue.
The brick path that lines the Fox River's banks from Route 72 to the Carpentersville line is not only a popular attraction for pedestrians, but it is a popular shortcut for motorists who want to avoid the congestion and traffic lights of Route 31.
"One of these days someone is going to be speeding around that curve and miss it," said Carpentersville resident Michelle Archambeau. "Then, they'll come right up on the path. Some cars just need to slow down."
Archambeau stated those comments while she and her husband, David, were strolling along the walk. She pointed to a duck that was run over and killed near a plaza were many people stand to enjoy the view.
"This is a great place to come and walk, but sometimes it gets dangerous with the cars speeding by," she said.
Many times the ducks and geese crossing the road cause cars to slow or stop. The one that was hit didn't.
East Dundee resident Catherine Kothe agreed with Archambeau.
"Some of the cars do come by faster than they should," she said. "I walk down here regularly."
Like other West Dundee side streets, the speed limit on Lincoln Avenue is 25 mph. The river walk meanders close to the river and close to the road. No guardrails separate families, some with young children, using the path from the cars using the street.
During the spring, summer and fall the path is well used on weekends and evenings.
Speeding is not a big problem on Lincoln Avenue, but it is a problem as with any other side street, said West Dundee Police Chief Dave Sawyer.
"We don't get a lot of speeders there, but we get our share," he said. "And the traffic is higher during morning and evening rush hours."
His officers regularly patrol Lincoln Avenue, looking for the speeders and other lawbreakers. They do the same with any other street.
"When we can, I'll have more officers ride through the area," he said.