Chester three-way reopens
<span>There are a few things immediately noticeable about the new turn lane at the Chester three-way stop.</span>
<span>Beyond the size of it, the reconstructed intersection of Opdyke and State streets makes Spinach Can Collectibles appear much further away when one stands on the new sidewalk next to Pinky's Sugarland.</span>
<span>"It's a lot quieter," said Debbie Brooks, co-owner of Spinach Can Collectibles. "It looks like (traffic) is flowing good.</span>
<span>"There was an incident earlier (Friday) when it looked like somebody didn't stop and the other person laid on their horn pretty good."</span>
<span>Spinach Can Collectibles may have gotten the best part of the deal now that the end result has been realized. The wider intersection and change in position of the stop sign for southbound traffic has given the Popeye-themed business a different look.</span>
<span>No more tractor-trailers making their turns in front Spinach Can's front door.</span>
<span>"The problem is taking away the parking spots," Brooks said. "I've got a few spots in the back here, but most people don't know that."</span>
<span>During its meeting on Oct. 19, the Chester City Council approved establishing two new no parking zones in order to make room for the intersection. The first extends from Subway south along State Street to COUNTRY Financial.</span>
<span>The other runs north along State Street from White Glove Laundromat (100 Opdyke St.) to Subway.</span>
<span>Page told the Herald Tribune on Sunday that the city, after discussion with the Illinois Department of Transportation, will be getting back five of the nine parking spots it was to lose.</span>
<span>"So far, I am really impressed with the flow of traffic," Page said. "It has done exactly what we thought it would do."</span>
<span>The intersection opened to traffic last Thursday, a day ahead of schedule, despite permanent striping yet to be completed. That striping was to start Tuesday for a Wednesday completion.</span>
<span>According to Page, Knight Hawk Coal paid a contribution of $150,000 toward the nearly $180,000 price tag.</span>
<span>"I was hesitant to open it up prior to the permanent paint coming down and I didn't want people to think (the intersection) was shut down for no reason," Page said. "It just allows traffic to not stack up like it was and I think Red Dot did a really, really good job."</span>
<span>Josh Carter, vice president of operations at Knight Hawk Coal, said in a statement that the intersection project was part of an ongoing partnership between the City of Chester, IDOT and KHC to ensure roadway safety.</span>
<span>"</span><span>The improvement makes navigation of the T-intersection easier and safer for everyone," he said.</span>