This year's work, which will involve the reconstruction of the southbound lanes, will evolve in two distinct phases:

• Prep Work – Between now and early July, drivers can expect daytime lane closures along South Lake Shore Drive. Crews will begin prepping the Drive's northbound lanes to handle both directions of traffic. Much of this week was spent posting signage that will advise drivers of the impending construction season. In the coming weeks, additional prep work will include lighting relocation, guardrail removal, temporary pavement widening, tree protection and limited tree removal, safety fence installation, and the setup of a movable barrier wall system.

• Mainline Work – Once the prep work is complete in early July, work crews will completely close the southbound lanes and divert traffic to the northbound lanes. At that time, both northbound and southbound traffic will begin sharing the northbound lanes between 23rd Street and 57th Drive. The moveable barrier system noted above will be used to facilitate a third reversible lane between 23rd and 47th Streets to handle increased traffic volumes during the morning and evening rush periods. The Mainline Work will entail the bottom-up reconstruction of the southbound side of the Drive; rebuilding the 31st Street Bridge and ramps over Lake Shore Drive near McCormick Place; continued renovation of exit and entrance ramps at Oakwood Blvd., and the exit ramps at Hyde Park Blvd. and 53rd Street. In addition, construction will commence on a new pedestrian underpass at 55th Street.

At the same time, work continues father south in Jackson Park on two new underpasses at 57th Drive near the Museum of Science and Industry. And, in the fall of this year, reconstruction crews will return to begin rebuilding the Drive from 57th Drive south to 67th Street, reassemble the Animal Bridge, and construct underpasses at 59th Street, 63rd Street, and Marquette Drive (6600 South).

To alleviate congestion during peak travel times, South Lake Shore Drive motorists may want to consider a combination of South Side thoroughfares designated as alternate routes. These include: Martin Luther King Dr., Cottage Grove, Lake Park Ave., Stony Island Ave., Cornell Dr., South Chicago Ave., Pershing Rd., 47th St., Midway Plaisance, and 67th St.

As regional bypass options, drivers should consider using the Chicago Skyway (I-90) and the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94).

The City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration are investing $162 million in the South Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction Project, with much of the funding coming from the Illinois FIRST program.

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.