CALUMET CITY | Calumet City officials could have the option of lowering the speed limit or installing a new stoplight on Sibley Boulevard if a proposed agreement is approved.

Some aldermen have complained about speeding cars flying through, but they haven't had the authority to make changes because the road is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Agency officials are considering transferring jurisdiction of Sibley Boulevard between Torrence Avenue and Freeland Avenue to Calumet City at the city's request, IDOT spokesman Mike Claffey said.

"We think it's a good idea and now we are in process of working out the details and forming a transfer agreement," he said, adding that agency officials would like to transfer jurisdiction before the end of IDOT's fiscal year, which ends June 30.

This portion of Sibley is an unmarked state route compared to a marked state route IDOT maintains for regional traffic, Claffey said.

"If we can transfer jurisdiction, the state no longer has to maintain the roads, no longer has to plow them, and we can devote our resources to roads that are part of the statewide transportation network," he said. "The advantage for the locals is they have more control over what goes on in the roadway -- lighting, permitting and signals, (speed limit) and so on."

IDOT also has suggested that Calumet City take over jurisdiction of Freeland between Sibley and Memorial Drive and Memorial between Freeland and the Illinois/Indiana state line, Claffey said.

As part of the agreement, IDOT would reimburse the city $358,000 to help pay for maintenance, plowing, signals, permitting and other costs of the roads, he said.

If the agreement is approved, the city could take traffic control measures and possibly install a stoplight at Exchange and Sibley, 2nd Ward Alderman Leni Wosczynski said.

Residents have complained they have trouble turning and crossing at the intersection, she said. "Maybe now residents can have some relief (from the traffic)," she said. "This is a long, long time coming."

Seventh Ward Alderman Cindi Pallick said she is delighted the city has made the request and that it's a possibility. "I really hope that it happens," she said.

Pallick said she hopes the city can lower the speed limit on the road and possibly put in a stoplight at Exchange and Sibley. Many children walk and cross the street, she said.

"If the money is there to do those type of things, that is crucial to the well-being of many children that walk home from school," she said.