City officials are looking to address traffic problems, safety concerns and aesthetic issues at the intersection of Emerson Street, Ridge Avenue and Green Bay Road.

About 20 people, including several aldermen, were present at an open forum Wednesday night in the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St., to discuss potential improvements to the intersection, as well as its surrounding areas. Joseph Chiczewski, president of ESI Consultants, said the junction “serves as a gateway to the downtown area.” Chiczewski’s firm will lead the investigation into the possible upgrades.

Homayoon Pirooz, assistant director of public works, said he also thinks the improvements are necessary.

“Not only do we have to take care of what we have and maintain that, but we also have to look forward,” he said.

Residents voiced concerns about traffic problems, including congestion and the lack of auxiliary lanes for right- and left-hand turns. Others also addressed safety issues, including the lack of emergency prioritization for the police and fire departments as well as signal coordination with the traffic lights. Attendees also noted problems with the area’s aesthetics.

Since the city authorized the firm to proceed in December, ESI has been doing field surveys and data collection, such as determining the volume of approximate daily traffic of the streets in the area. Activity on some of the streets, like the northbound section of Green Bay Road before the intersection, exceed an estimated 15,000 cars daily.

However, Chiczewski said he believes the problems go beyond the mere volume of traffic.

The planned improvements to the intersection are not limited to those who use cars. The project also aims to serve the needs of pedestrians and cyclists who use the area.

“We want this to be a comprehensive, complete street type of solution,” Chiczewski said.

Tina Paden, an Evanston resident who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said she is skeptical of the project but wants to see the problems acknowledged.

“It’s a very important intersection and they really need to get that together,” Paden said. “Accidents are a regular occurrence.”

The meeting began with a formal presentation. Afterward, residents were able ask those conducting the project and city officials questions directly. Chiczewski said additional public outreach will be conducted in the future.

Ald. Jane Grover (7th), who attended the meeting, said city engineers have been puzzled about how to fix problems with the intersection for years.

“For anyone who’s lived here any amount of time, you know this intersection, you can’t avoid it in Evanston,” Grover told The Daily. “I’d love to see this improved, especially with the increasing residential density in the neighborhood.”

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