South Lake Shore Drive project halfway done
CHICAGO, January 30, 2003 - The Chicago Department of Transportation announced today that the South Lake Shore Drive reconstruction project is more than 50 percent complete. Engineers and work crews have been working to ensure the project remains both on time and within the budget.
"Residents and motorists have been very cooperative during this process," said Miguel d'Escoto, CDOT commissioner. "This project has been running very smoothly thanks to their patience, as well as the hard work of the construction crews."
The project began in September 2001 and will be completed in early 2004. Many key elements already are completed or well under way. These include:
- Reconstruction of southbound Lake Shore Drive lanes from 23rd Street to 57th Drive is complete.
- More than half of a new storm sewer has been installed between 23rd and 56th Streets.
- At the 31st Street Bridge near McCormick Place, major structural work is complete and the bridge is fully open to traffic.
- A reconstructed 55th Street Underpass is open in Burnham Park.
- Hayes Drive (6300 south) has been reconstructed and realigned to intersect with 63rd Street at South Lake Shore Drive.
- Jeffery Drive is rebuilt and open to traffic.
- Construction of architecturally detailed barrier walls continues between 23rd Street and 57th Drive.
- Electrical work for new roadway lighting is ongoing.
This year marks the last full year of work on the South Lake Shore Drive project. In the coming year, CDOT will focus on the following areas:
- Reconstruction of northbound Lake Shore Drive from 57th Drive to 23rd Street. This work is scheduled to begin in a few days.
- Reconstruction of Lake Shore Drive in both directions from Marquette Drive. (6600) south) to 57th Drive.
- Work on the Marquette Drive reconstruction in both directions from Jeffrey Drive to 67th Street.
- Addition of a boardwalk along the 57th Street Beach.
- Construction the new pedestrian/bike underpasses at 57th Drive, 59th Street, 63rd Street and Marquette Drive, plus updated paths in Jackson Park.
- Continued work on restoring the historic Animal Bridge as Marquette and Coast Guard Drives in Jackson Park. Pedestrian walkways will be added along both sides of this bridge.
- Improving CTA bus access at the 31st Street Beach.
- Developing the new green space - more than 14 acres that the project is adding throughout Burnham and Jackson Parks.
The South Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction Project is funded by the Illinois FIRST program with additional funding from the City of Chicago and the Federal Highway Administration.
For more project information, please call 311 in Chicago or visit the project website at www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation. For CTA or Metra information, call the RTA at 836-7000 from any Chicagoland area code.
For more information, please visit the CDOT Web site at:
www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation.
