Evanston Residents Proposed Asbury Avenue Traffic Changes

Ninth Ward neighbors and officials aim to curb speeding along the corridor near Prieto Community Center.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of a concrete curb extension and yellow traffic-calming buffers on an urban street. — Evanston Councilmember Juan Geracaris is introducing an ordinance to lower speed limits and add traffic-calming infrastructure on Asbury Avenue. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Evanston Ninth Ward residents have proposed new traffic-calming measures for Asbury Avenue following a city traffic study that confirmed frequent speeding. Councilmember Juan Geracaris plans to introduce an ordinance to lower the street's speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour.

Why it matters

Officials and residents are prioritizing safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, citing data that links reduced vehicle speeds to lower fatality rates. The proposal follows successful speed reductions implemented by the city on Emerson Street near Foster Elementary School.

A city traffic study confirmed frequent speeding on Asbury Avenue, which currently maintains a 30 miles per hour limit. Councilmember Juan Geracaris intends to formally propose a 25 miles per hour limit through a Safe Streets Ordinance.

The players

Juan Geracaris

He is an Evanston City Councilmember representing the Ninth Ward who is leading the push for traffic safety reforms.

The details

Residents suggested physical infrastructure improvements including crosswalk murals and paint-and-post curb extensions near the Prieto Community Center at 430 Asbury Avenue. The city currently evaluates these installations against a limited menu of approved designs for road projects.

Residents held a Ninth Ward meeting on September 22, 2026.
The city's Bike Plan update is estimated to arrive in March 2027.

Political Context

Opposition or skepticism may arise from the Illinois Department of Transportation, which maintains control over the segment of Asbury Avenue between Howard and Main streets. The city must navigate these state-level jurisdictional requirements to implement infrastructure changes.

Commuters traveling along Asbury Avenue should prepare for potential speed limit changes that could affect daily travel times. Residents near the corridor may eventually see new safety infrastructure, such as crosswalk murals, installed to physically slow traffic flow.

The takeaway

Effective traffic management often requires balancing neighborhood demands for safety with state-level regulatory oversight of major roads. Implementing data-driven speed reductions remains a standard tool for cities looking to protect pedestrians in high-traffic corridors.