Niles Traffic Calming Device Proposed

A traffic-calming device is being suggested at the intersection of Waukegan and Cleveland roads in Niles, where a 13-year old boy was killed while riding his bicycle last summer.

The village of Niles is proposing an 11-foot traffic safety island in the middle of Waukegan Road along the bike trail where 13-year old Sam Yousef was hit by a pick-up truck as he crossed at Cleveland Avenue from the east, heading west. The teen was crossing the intersection by himself on his bike for the very first time, according to his parents who were met & interviewed by this reporter at the very site their son was struck.

Village engineer Tom Powers has stated that the idea is to allow pedestrians and cyclists to not have to make it across all of the lanes of the busy road at once.

The plan goes before a citizens committee later this month and would need state approval because Waukegan Road, IL route 41, would need to be widened at that spot.