Traffic Guy

The Traffic Guy hears...

... that the race for Fourth of July parade seats begins at 6 a.m. on July 1, when folks can start marking out their seating arrangements.

... that there was a small uproar about the location of the non-motorized water craft storage in the lakefront plan. The boat storage and the boat ramp are not moving up to Clark Street Beach, folks. TG has been asked to express the RT's regrets for any contribution it may have made to the misunderstanding.

... that Fire Station #4 and the police station will receive energy-efficiency lighting upgrades soon.

Speaking of police and fire, two more veteran public servants, firefighter Kevin Kelly (above) and police officer Sam Pettineo (below), retired recently.

... that the Howard Street CTA station is open and pretty spiffy. However, it seems that persons in wheelchairs or with bicycles may need to take two different elevators to get to the train platforms.

... that the City is going to purchase 23 new police and fire department vehicles - 22 Ford Crown Victoria cars and a 12-passenger Ford van.

...that U.S. gasoline demand will likely decline in 2008 for the first time in more than 17 years, according to a report released by Cambridge Energy Research Associates. Drivers are apparently feeling the pinch of high gas prices by buying more fuel efficient vehicles (sales of SUVs are down) and by shifting to public transportation, bicycling and cutting down on unnecessary trips. Speaking of more fuel efficient cars, last week Honda started production of the first hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicle intended for mass production. Honda says it can mass produce the cars now, but plans to roll out the vehicles slowly because the infrastructure (hydrogen filling stations) needs to catch up. While these cars may be efficient, for now the cost is out of sight at several hundred thousand dollars.

... that the Union Pacific continues to shore up the overpass at Noyes and Green Bay. Would that all the City's viaducts receive a facelift.

... that Ridge Avenue appears to be traversable even though there is only one lane going north.

... that rain continues to fall, and, while much of it is needed for gardens in Evanston, the floodwaters are devastating other parts of Illinois and the Midwest. Reports from the State climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (www.sws.uiuc.edu), a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, say the statewide May precipitation was 5.8 inches, 1.5 inches above average, and the 20th wettest May on record. Combined with above-average precipitation since the start of 2008, the January-May total is 22.2 inches and 7 inches above average. Only 1898 and 1927 were wetter with 23.1 and 22.4 inches of precipitation, respectively.

Also, according to the climatologist's data, more rain fell in the first eight days of June, especially in central Illinois. But it's been cool. May statewide temperatures averaged 59 degrees, 4 degrees below average. This continued a pattern of below-average temperatures since February. As a result, this was the 18th coolest February-May on record at 44 degrees, 3 degrees below average.

... and speaking of precipitation, here's a picture of some hail that pelted Evanston Sunday afternoon.

The Traffic Guy thinks ...

... that folks should be alert for kids playing in the streets, particularly those that have just been resurfaced. After all, they do seem like a new playground for skateboards, bikes and other fun vehicles. And kids are heedless. They don't mean to be nuisances but most of them just don't know yet how much there is to fear.

... that, speaking of roads, it would be just fine with TG to keep Ridge Avenue in a configuration having a middle lane for left turns (somewhat like McCormick between Emerson and Green Bay). We could repace those fancy traffic barrels with an even fancier boulevard median with trees, flowers and holly bushes (so drivers won't get too close to the center, lest they scratch their cars).

... Kudos to the League of Women Voters of Evanston for getting voters registered for this reallllllllly important Presidential election. Maxine Lange and Beth Handler of LWVE were at the West End Market on opening day.

... that, although it's always easy to blame seagulls for unpleasant intestinal infections, these flying rats might not always be at fault. E-coli happens.

Hope everyone enjoys the Fourth of July festivities.