Local residents have long voiced concerns about safety on Winfield Road, and recent events have only reinforced the urgency of addressing them. In our October 2024 newsletter, we highlighted the dangers posed by reckless driving along Mack, Purnell, and Winfield Roads, citing multiple fatalities and collisions in recent years.
Despite these alarming statistics, the West-Win (WW) Board was surprised to learn that a multi-use path along Winfield Road had been under consideration, and funding had already been allocated. Ultimately, after receiving public comments at their September 17th, 2024 meeting, the DuPage County Transportation Committee decided to halt the project, recognizing the risks to potential users. Instead, they proposed redirecting funds toward much-needed traffic and safety studies focused mainly on Winfield, Purnell, and Mack Roads and possibly expanding to other feeder routes.
Residents Speak Up – Seeking community input, WW reached out, via an email survey to its members, on December 20, 2024, with three key safety-related questions:
Do you feel safe driving on Winfield Rd between Roosevelt and Mack?
Do you feel safe turning onto or off Winfield Rd between Roosevelt and Mack?
If you answered “No” to either question, what are your main concerns?
The response was overwhelming – Over 50 members shared thoughtful feedback, personal stories, and safety concerns, making it clear that this was a pressing issue. The topic dominated discussions at the Fall 2024 WW General Meeting, highlighting widespread unease about the road’s conditions.
Action Steps: West-Win Forms a Traffic Safety Committee – In response to questions and concerns, WW formed an ad-hoc committee consisting of WW members Sean Chou and Laura Ludwig, as well as WW Board members Anthony Gosling, Rose Kuntze, and Skip Watt, to work with the DuPage County Division of Transportation (DuDOT) on potential improvements to safety.
Meetings with County Officials & Progress So Far – On January 9, 2025, the WW committee met with DuPage County Board and Transportation Committee Member Jim Zay, our District 6 representative, to present residents’ feedback. Zay acknowledged the concerns and assured the group that DuDOT was in the early stages of reviewing safety issues. The urgency of the matter was underscored when, just a day before the meeting, a two-car collision occurred at the intersection of Purnell and Winfield Roads.
At a follow-up meeting on February 19, 2025, Zay was joined by Stephen Travia (Director of DuDOT), William Eidson (DuDOT Engineer), and Stephen Zulkowski (DuDOT Traffic Engineer). The discussion covered, but was not limited to:
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Increasing traffic volumes on Winfield, Purnell, Mack, and Garys Mill Roads
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Lack of law enforcement presence in these areas
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Jurisdictional challenges between various government agencies
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Speed limits and traffic calming solutions
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Congestion and high-risk intersections at Purnell, Mack, and Winfield Roads
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Ongoing crash studies and speed records
What’s Next? – DuDOT is now in the early stages of hiring a consultant to conduct a formal study. Funding for this initiative is expected to be part of the DuPage County Budget proposal in April 2025. The consultant will assess all concerns and provide recommendations for improving safety on these roads.
While immediate fixes may be limited to short-term “band-aid” solutions, a comprehensive, long-term strategy will take time to develop. To keep the community informed, Member Zay and/or DuDOT representatives plan to attend the WW General Meeting on April 29, 2025, to discuss progress and answer residents’ questions.
How You Can Help – WW will continue working closely with officials and will keep members updated. Your input and support are critical in ensuring these safety issues remain a priority. We appreciate the proactive stance taken by county officials and their willingness to collaborate with WW on meaningful improvements. If you aren’t receiving WW emails, please send your contact information to us at info@west-win.org. The addition of your email address to our database will ensure that you receive future updates and communications.
Let’s work together to make Winfield and adjoining roads safer for everyone!
– Buckle up. Every trip, every time. Ensure children are buckled in the correct seat. Never drive drowsy.
– Obey speed limits. Share the road responsibly. Pay attention to emergency vehicle & bus flashing lights.
– Don’t drive distracted or while impaired. Pay attention to the road conditions & traffic warning signs.