Sustainable Transportation Advocacy

• "CTA's new security plan includes sheriff's deputies on trains, high-barrier gates [called for in recent SBC guest op-ed], farecard inspections" (Sun-Times)

As you might expect thanks to yesterday's gorgeous weather, the vibe was good at the 13th round of weekly dueling rallies for and against the Archer Avenue traffic safety project rallies in Brighton Park in the 12th Ward. Or at least that was the case according to proponent Alfredo Villadares Jr., who's lived just south of the project area in Gage Park for 37 years.

• An SUV driver, 70, fatally struck a female pedestrian Tuesday around 6:15 PM in the 4000 block of West Foster Avenue in the North Park neighborhood (CBS)

On much of the project area, posts, paint and new curbs haven't been added yet to help keep drivers – such as the protesters – out of the future curbside bikeways.

• Steven Lucy: Ald. Hopkins' bikeway vote be based less on worries about getting an angry call from businesses but from bereaved parents. (Sun-Times)

Here's the fourth installment of our series "Streetsblog Chicago versus smoking on the CTA." This is our campaign for "carrot" rather than "stick" strategies (not simply more policing) to reduce smoking and vaping in 'L' cars. Take a look at part one for an intro to my thoughts on this subject and the approach I'm taking. But to recap, it can be dangerous for people with disabilities, senior citizens, and young kids to inhale smoke in enclosed spaces, and it's unhealthy and aggravating for the rest of us. And ultimately, smoking on trains can make trips feel unsafe and unpleasant, causing people to avoid transit.

•Person hit and killed by Blue Line Train downtown (CBS)

• More coverage of Lopez, Quinn, and Dowell's gripes about Complete Streets projects (Center Square)

All photos are by James Porter.