Traffic Alert!

Des Plaines residents, Library visitors and all who commute through downtown Des Plaines, here is news you do not want to miss:

TRAFFIC ALERT

Beginning July 21 and running through August 3, 2008, the railroad crossings at BOTH Lee Street and Graceland Avenue at the downtown commuter railroad tracks will be CLOSED for repair work.

All detour signs will have traffic going to River Road both northbound and southbound. Traffic in a normal rush hour on River Road is continuously backed up. It will become even worse during this 2 week period.

If you travel through downtown Des Plaines as your normal route to or from work, we suggest you use an alternate route during this time frame to avoid massive delays.

The Des Plaines Police Department will employ extra officers in an attempt to assist traffic through the downtown area. If you choose to travel this route we hope you will have patience and understanding.

That's the word directly from the office of Commander Tim Veit of the Des Plaines Police Department, Traffic and Special Events Community Action Team. If you need to get to the Library during the two week railroad repair time frame, don't panic -- we've got driving directions to get you here from north, south, east and west that completely avoid the railroad crossings. However, we do advise you to allow extra time and, well, just take a deep breath and be patient when necessary.

Call us if you need extra assistance in finding a route to the Library: 847-827-5551. Better yet, if you live in Des Plaines, leave the car at home and walk, bike, pull the kids in a wagon, whatever it takes. Buy an ice cream or another cool treat at Kaffeccino's with the money you save on gas. If you leave in Chicago or in the northwest suburbs, take the train and wave out the window at the people doing the repair work -- Metra will drop you off right at our front door.

Please help us spread the word to your family, neighbors and co-workers. Have a safe summer!