The days prior to breaks and Friday evenings alike can find the Annie Glidden and Taylor Street intersection a congested mess of eager students awaiting a smooth ride home.

Seeing this intersection as a potential obstacle, the DeKalb City Council will consider a request by the Department of Public Works to create a temporary intersection improvement and signal at the the Annie Glidden Road and Taylor Street intersection. The project is part of the DeKalb Department of Public Works’ efforts to create new benefits from design and environmental studies.

Director of Public Works Ralph Tompkins said Annie Glidden Road from the railroad viaducts south to the I-88 toll booths have seen considerable congestion. A temporary solution to this problem would be to create a left turn lane on the north and south legs of Annie Glidden Road including a temporary traffic light at the Taylor Street intersection.

This temporary solution would cost about $150,000, however it would be a formality as public works looks to transform the southernmost portions of Annie Glidden Road into two lanes. The main project, however, wouldn’t begin until 2005.

Public works also will request that the city council consider preliminary plans and specifications for a city-state project to improve the intersection of Routes 23 and 38.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is looking to widen the northeast corner of the intersection, a project that would cost $402,500, but the city would be required to pay only $5,750 to relocate two streetlights.

Tompkins said the construction should begin by early summer and the intersection would be closed for several weeks with the state providing a major detour. Tompkins said with the project completed, commuters would have an easier turn onto the northbound section of I-23.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Council Chambers, 200 S. Fourth St.