The Chainlink

McGrath Lexus Driving Into Traffic at Elston & Division - Insights Needed

Twice during my morning commutes on Elston, I've seen individuals* leave the McGrath Lexus main entrance by turning left into the right hand lane and driving until they can get around the line of cars waiting at the intersection or until there is a small opening in the line of cars that they can get through. Both times this has occured I have been in the right lane and the car has been headed directly towards me.  For those of you who ride Elston, be careful!

 

I get that the company is placed at an awkward spot for a left turn - my guess is they are 25 feet or less from the light. And you bet your bottom dollar I'd be frustrated as a driver trying to turn left at an intersection that regularly has lines of cars at a stop light. That being said, this is extremely dangerous, especially on a road often traveled by cyclists. Before I stop into the dealership to speak with a manager about this, I wanted to see if any of you have had similar experiences? If so, can you send me as many details as possible, as I want to stress the graveness of this situation.

 

*I'm 90% sure it has been the same person both times, but I'm giving this the benefit of the doubt

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Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on November 13, 2012 at 2:45pm

John - thanks for looking into it. I usually ride through the area between 4 and 5pm. I am not talking about the vehicles that are parked legally in the marked parking spots but the ones that will be in between the bollards as well as on the striped buffer. There are usually numerous vehicles parked illegally and some in such as way as to block a turning car driver's visibility going into or out of Acura. Again, John - thanks for your concern.

Permalink Reply by John L. Douglass on November 13, 2012 at 3:08pm

I understand completely. I will take a walk in a little bit here and take some notes. We will also remind all of those at Acura and Lexus the hazards of illegal parking and the consequences...I hope to see improvement by the weekend.

Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on November 13, 2012 at 3:19pm

Thanks John. I'll be riding through in about 20 minutes (blue jacket, yellow backpack, obscenely bright flashing headlamp) - I'll stop and say hi if I see someone out and about. I know many, many parking spots were eliminated when they put in the protected lane (personally I do not like the protected lane). I would like to note that whenever I've gone through and a car jockey (correct term?) was trying to pull out of Acura and creeping forward so they could see around the parked cars, they have always backed up so I could ride through.

Permalink Reply by John L. Douglass on November 13, 2012 at 4:10pm

Ok Gopher, I must have missed you, saw some of your buddies though. Yes, I counted 5 illegally parked vehicles and took pics of lic plates and have forwarded to those who can make the difference. Apologies for the trouble. Be safe.

Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on November 13, 2012 at 4:56pm

Thanks again John for improving the situation for all of us (I'm sure it will be safer for your customers and employees once their sight lines are not obscured. It was a bit better than usual today and I should also clarify that I do include the buffered and bollard parts of the lane that extend down in front of Morton Salt.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 21, 2012 at 3:52pm

Permalink Reply by John L. Douglass on November 21, 2012 at 4:03pm


Julie Hochstadter said:

Great pic, thank you Julie I am truly honored as are the McGraths. Happy Thanksgiving!

Permalink Reply by David Silverman on November 22, 2012 at 3:30am

Wow. If I ever decide to buy a Lexis, I'm going to McGrath.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 26, 2012 at 8:35pm
Permalink Reply by terryg on November 26, 2012 at 8:49pm
Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on November 27, 2012 at 12:53am

Actually, anyone can set up a google alert for a search term, and you should get a message within an hour of a public posting that includes the search term you specify.

Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on December 5, 2012 at 1:33pm

John, I know you are working hard on this issue but I just wanted to let you know it still is a problem. During my last three rides through the area (last Thursday, Friday, and yesterday) I counted a total of 31 cars parked illegally between the bollards in front of Acura). The most problematic ones are those in the buffer by the exit/entrance to the service areas. Again, we really appreciate your efforts in addressing this issue.

John L. Douglass said:

John Douglass here, hello Gopher Biker. I apologize first for vehicles that were parked illegally. I have also forwarded your concern across the street to the powers that be at McGrath Acura of Chicago. I am at the Lexus location and do walk that way upon closing, however at that hour most vehicles are already gone. What time did you come by? I would like to go out at that time today and make some notes and take some pics. We will get it sorted out, I assure you.

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