John Greenfield
In addition to editing Streetsblog Chicago, John writes the transportation column for the Chicago Reader weekly paper. A Chicagoan since 1989, he enjoys exploring the city on foot, bike, bus, and 'L' train.
Recent Posts
43rd Ward hopeful Brian Comer concern trolls Dickens Greenway during debate
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Former 43rd Ward chief of staff Erik Wallenius scoffed at Comer's current opposition to the greenway, suggesting it's motivated by politics rather than safety concerns.
Driver making illegal left at Belmont/Ashland/Lincoln struck and injured woman, 39, and fled
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A safety upgrade project is planned for this wide, complex, dangerous six-way intersection, which might have made a difference in this case.
You love to see it: Rte. 53 extension proposal gets turned into a greenway project instead
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While it may be a few years until the greenway project gets off the ground, it's certainly a fantastic outcome that instead of being filled by cars, trucks, and pollution, the corridor will be used by pedestrians, bike riders, and wildlife.
At state hearing, transit advocates call for addressing fiscal cliff, Carter is a no-show
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Many important public transportation topics were covered at the hearing. It's a shame that the region's most prominent transit leader Dorval Carter chose to ghost it.
Smart Streets, Complete Streets ordinances pass; Plow the Sidewalks introduced
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Today's City Council meeting was very eventful from a livable streets perspective, with four different walk/bike/transit ordinances passed or introduced.
California trainin’: A Chicagoan checks out transportation in the Golden State
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Here's a show-and-tell of my impressions of the walk/bike/transit stuff I experienced, including a few things I'd be glad to see implemented in Chicago.
Video killed the bicycle lane: Advocates, officials intervene after TV crew blocks PBL
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People biking to or from Loop Thursday morning on the Dearborn Avenue two-way protected bike lane, downtown's busiest bikeway, had a nasty surprise.
It’s getting real: Biden budget proposal earmarks $350M for $3.6B south Red Line extension
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Yesterday the administration began to make good on its promise to help fund the RLE including a request for $350 million in Biden’s fiscal year 2024 discretionary funding request.
Police now require ‘L riders to show proof of airport business to exit ORD station late at night
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While the sight of unhoused people sleeping on floors in the airport didn't provide a great first impression of our city to visitors, neither do steel security gates and a heavy police presence at a transit station.
Asked about CTA at debate, Johnson focuses on reliability, Vallas calls for more cops
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Johnson's response mostly focused on strategies to make transit operate more efficiently, while Vallas said "Public safety is the overriding issue."
Here’s an update on several state bills for safer streets
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There's a ton of proposed livable streets legislation in play at the state level right now. Here's a quick roundup.
Meetings announced for next RPM phases, to make North Red, Purple lines 100% accessible
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Last week there was a light in the (subway) tunnel in terms of making the remaining non-accessible North Side Red and Purple stations ADA-compliant.