Stop Sign Installed At Dangerous Northwest Side Intersection After Years Of Complaints

A stop sign has been installed at the intersection of Belmont and Karlov avenues in Irving Park, responding to long-standing complaints from the community. Business owner Arlene Luna noted that the area had been plagued by accidents, including a recent incident where a car crashed into a nearby storefront. Following the installation, customers at Luna's Moonwalker Cafe have reported feeling safer, a sentiment echoed by her partner Jack Blue. Although earlier traffic studies from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) deemed a stop sign ineffective, the community's concerns prompted a second review. In addition to the stop sign, a speed camera was installed in June, but residents claimed that traffic remained “terrible.

” CDOT's spokesperson previously indicated that the traffic volume disparity between Belmont and Karlov was a concern. The recent changes aim to improve safety in a neighborhood where residents have long sought better traffic management. Enhanced safety measures at this intersection may also influence traffic patterns in the surrounding neighborhoods.