Prettying up the City: CDOT Project Wrap Up (original) (raw)

Architecture Fri Nov 14 2008

The Chicago Department of Transportation has a great deal of projects underway. Among these are streetscape improvements, bridge reconstructions, and apparently some sort of Lakeshore Drive striping project that is supposed to mess with driver's minds (CDOT calls it "innovative"). Below we cover a few of the more notable ones:

Solidarity Drive Underpass - While not the most frustrating break in the Lakefront Path (see Chicago River), crossing Solidarity Drive on foot or bike can be particularly dangerous due to the mass amounts of out-of-town drivers and vengeful charter busses. The new underpass will allow pedestrians and bikers to continue southward towards McCormick Place without breaking grade. Estimated completion: Spring 2009

Wabash Improvement Project - As Wabash as been reborn with new retail and residential development, from the Chicago River to the South Loop, the streetscape is also getting a facelift. Repainting the El, new signage and planters and sidewalk reconstruction are getting ready to finish up. Estimated Completion: End of 2008

Devon Avenue Streetscape Project - Clark Street to Ravenswood. New planters, trees, bike racks along with other typical sidewalk fare including some funky "Rogers Park - Edgewater" signage to let you know where you are. Estimated Completion: Summer 2009

Riverwalk Project - Chicago's "other coast" is trying to get it's own shoreline path. Started this summer, the project will allow a person to walk underneath Michigan Ave and Wabash Ave to the somewhat hidden Vietnam Veterans Memorial at State Street. Here's hoping the development of this project eventually leads to the proposed esplanade featured during MCA's Massive Change. Estimated Completion: Spring 2009

Roosevelt Road Metra Station - Sadly the city will be losing one of its creepiest structures as this project comes to completion. Access to the Roosevelt Road stop will be at the pedestrian bridge, approximately aligned with 11th Street. Estimated Completion: Early 2009

For the full list of projects underway, click here.