Four new underpasses Open In Jackson Park
Mayor Richard M. Daley today celebrated the opening of four new pedestrian underpasses under Lake Shore Drive on the city’s south lakefront, connecting thousands of residents to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The underpasses—at 57th Drive, 59th Street, 63rd Street and Marquette Drive—were built as part of the South Lake Shore Drive reconstruction project, a $162 million effort to rebuild the historic roadway from McCormick Place to 67th Street.
“Today is an important day in the history of the south lakefront,” Mayor Daley said. “These new underpasses will provide better access to the beaches, lakefront parks and cultural institutions that help make Chicago so vibrant.”
“The South Lake Shore Drive reconstruction is much more than a roadway project,” the Mayor added. “We saw it as an opportunity benefit not only motorists, but also pedestrians, runners, bicyclists and all types of recreational users.”
The four new underpasses provide safe, direct access to the lakefront. They are fully accessible to those with physical disabilities. A fifth underpass, scheduled to open later this year, will run underneath 57th Drive from the Museum of Science and Industry.
Each underpass is more than 35 feet wide, with decorative lighting and beautiful architectural details. Each underpass connects to the 18.5-mile lakefront path.
In addition to the underpasses, the South Lake Shore Drive project has provided more natural space by removing unneeded pavement and concrete. As part of this project, the City added more than 14 acres of new green space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Thousands of trees, shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses will be planted throughout the medians and open spaces of Burnham and Jackson parks.
The South Lake Shore Drive reconstruction project began in late 2001, and major roadway work was completed earlier this year.
In addition to a new roadway between 23rd and 67th, other project features include:
A new storm sewer system between 23rd and 56th Streets
Reconstructed bridges at 31st Street and Oakwood Boulevard
Hayes Drive (6300 south) reconstructed and realigned to intersect with 63rd Street at South Lake Shore Drive
Jeffery Drive rebuilt
Architecturally detailed barrier walls installed along the Drive.
The City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration have invested $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.
