March 28, 2024
Local News

Joliet wants traffic study for Dunkin' planned at Six Corners

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Joliet City Council members want a traffic study done before they vote on a drive-thru permit for a Dunkin’ planned for Six Corners.

Dunkin’, which shortened its name from Dunkin’ Donuts last year, wants to put one of its coffee and doughnut shops in a vacant lot next to the Thayer Bros. Deli & Grille.

The council’s Public Service Committee on Monday, however, put a vote on the drive-thru on hold until a traffic study shows the impact a Dunkin’ drive-thru could at the busy intersection.

“It’s no secret Six Corners is unique,” committee Chairman Larry Hug said. “How is this traffic flow going to affect the rush hour in the morning?”

Six Corners gets it’s name from the crossing of three roads, all major arteries crossing at the location: Plainfield Road (also Route 30); Ruby Street, which becomes Black Road west of the intersection; and Raynor Avenue.

The Dunkin’ site is at 800 N. Raynor Ave. and is in a wedge between Raynor and Ruby.

“Six Corners is a headache on a good day,” Hug said as the committee voted, 3-0, to delay a vote on the drive-thru until the traffic study is done.

Another concern is that a second business yet to be identified is planned for the building that would be built for Dunkin’.

Committee members were concerned about the added traffic a second business would bring, along with the capacity of the site to accommodate two businesses.

“There is not room for two. There’s barely room for one,” council member Bettye Gavin said.

Access to the Dunkin’ would be limited, Public Works Director James Trizna told the committee.

The site would have full access from Raynor, Trizna said. But access from Ruby would allow right turns only onto the site.

While the council agreed at its regular meeting Tuesday to put the Dunkin’ drive-thru permit on hold, one caller speaking during public comments said the business would not pose an issue at Six Corners.

Robert Hernandez noted that Six Corners once had a Mexican restaurant and liquor store that are no longer there.

Hernandez called the Dunkin’ “a no-brainer. You don’t need a traffic study for that.”

Bob Okon

Bob Okon

Bob Okon covers local government for The Herald-News