by Dennis Sullivan
editor@ewcnews.com
Feb. 24, 2015
Mike Einhorn estimates it will cost $46,000 to install quiet-crossing signs and delineators on selected village streets and township and county roads.
“That’s our labor and everything,” the mayor told Crete trustees Dean Gaffney, Steve Johnson, Holly Millburn and Mark Wiater, whose presence provided the necessary quorum for Monday’s village board meeting.
Responding to a question from Village Clerk Deborah Bachert, Einhorn said some municipalities have spent “$300,000 a crossing” for more elaborate warning systems.
The system approved for Crete by the Federal Railroad Administration requires warning signs at all crossings, with delineators — thin yellow plastic lane dividers — in place at Crete-Monee (also known as New Monee) Road, Old Monee Road, Herman Street and Exchange Street, which is a Will County highway.
Responding to questions from Johnson and Milburn, Einhorn said he and Public Works Supt Phil Hameister decided on yellow delineators with reflective tape as being “the most visible in all conditions.”
Einhorn said he and Hameister met Wednesday with a representative of Chicago-based Roadsafe Traffic Systems, and are “waiting for her final numbers.” He added that the amount of money was small enough that there is “probably no need” to seek bids.
After the meeting, Einhorn told Eastern Will County News he anticipates Public Works employees accounting for approximately $26,000 of his $46,000 estimate. He said Roadsafe’s quote was lower than several other companies’ prices.
“This is going to be a one-time thing, so it’s not going to be like it’s a recurring project,” Einhorn said, suggesting the project could be paid out of several village accounts, including the road & bridge fund.
Dismissing the need for creating a separate quiet-crossing accounting line item, Einhorn said, “Once it’s done it’s done; it ain’t coming back.”
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Original material copyright 2015 Eastern Will County News; all rights reserved.
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Eastern Will County News 
No protection at Division or !st? These streets would seem to get more traffic than Herman. Is this a flawed plan?
Thanks for commenting. Warning signs will be placed at all of the crossings, which will continue to have crossing gates, lights and sounds. The Federal Railroad Administration accepted the argument against placing the delineators at all crossings because of insufficient room and/or sight issues. Train operators would continue to sound their horns in emergencies.