Chicago Transit Advocates Rally Against ‘Redefine the Drive’ Plan

Current plans don’t include transit, pedestrian infrastructure, or new connections to the lakefront park.

1 minute read

August 14, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering from the North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Phase I Study of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

Rendering from the North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Phase I Study | Illinois Department of Transportation / North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Phase I Study

Hundreds of Chicago mobility advocates gathered for a ‘Save Our Lakefront Rally’ to urge the Illinois Department of Transportation and city officials to rebuild North DuSable Lake Shore Drive as a more people-friendly street. As John Greenfield explains in Streetsblog Chicago, the rally was held outside an open house held by IDOT showcasing its ‘Redefine the Drive’ project.

Redefine the Drive calls for rebuilding the eight-lane road without adding transit, pedestrian, or bike infrastructure. “[Advocates] want to see two of those lanes reserved for fast, reliable transit service.”

City alderpersons spoke at the rally, calling for changes to the proposed plan, which also removes some stoplights and curves, which could increase speeds and make the road more dangerous. According to an Axios article by Monica Eng, “Plan opponents generally want a dedicated bus lane, reduced car lanes and a design that supports at least a doubling in transit ridership.”

Friday, August 9, 2024 in Streetsblog Chicago

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