45th Ward
Top Categories
“Bikeway Hearing Parking Lot”: Talking with folks from the massive crowd outside and inside the Portage Park Neighborhood Bike Network meeting
When I rolled up solo to yesterday's Portage Park Senior Center for the community meeting on the Chicago Department of Transportation's neighborhood local bikeway network proposal, there was a long line of people snaking out the door. To be honest, due to the organized opposition we've seen recently to traffic safety projects on Archer Avenue in Brighton Park, and Grand Avenue in West Town, I was a little apprehensive.
March 6, 2026
Several Safety Improvements Are Coming to Central, Milwaukee in the 45th Ward
In the wake of two-year-old Noah Katz death, the city is installing infrastructure to calm traffic on Central Avenue, and curb bump-outs are planned for Milwaukee Avenue.
May 2, 2017
After Noah Katz’s Death, Ald. Arena and CDOT Commit to Fixing Intersection
In the wake of the crash that tragically took the life of two-year-old Noah Katz and injured his mother Rachel, 39, as they crossed the street on Sunday afternoon in Portage Park, safety improvements are planned for the intersection.
November 16, 2016
What Does Crash Data Say About the Reasons for Closing Wilson/Lamon?
Two weeks ago, 45th Ward Alderman John Arena used his car to blockade a construction site at Wilson Avenue and Lamon Avenue, where a Chicago Department of Transportation crew had begun building cul-de-sacs to eliminate through traffic and make room for a digital billboard. Arena, who opposes the installation of the 90-foot sign, said he wasn’t notified about the street closure work before it started the previous weekend. The alderman also argued that the street closure would cause traffic problems.
August 3, 2015
CDOT Says Controversial Jeff Park Street Closure Is About Reducing Crashes
Some Streetsblog Chicago commenters have argued that Steven Vance and myself are always in favor of limiting car access in the name of street safety, but that’s not the case. We're still not sure whether a Chicago Department of Transportation street closure project in Jefferson Park was prompted by a speeding and crash problem, as CDOT claims, or if the main motivation was to make room for a digital billboard.
July 21, 2015
Transportation Wins in 45th Ward PB Vote; Milwaukee Remix Moving Forward
There were a number of gains for walking and biking in last week’s participatory budgeting election in the 45th Ward, a Far Northwest Side district represented by Alderman John Arena. Meanwhile, the city is moving forward with a safety overhaul of a stretch of Milwaukee Avenue within the ward. This project was watered down due to pressure from residents, but it will still be an improvement to the high-crash corridor.
May 5, 2015
PBLs Off the Table in Jeff Park, But Milwaukee Still Needs a Road Diet
The Chicago Department of Transportation has proposed three possible street reconfigurations for Milwaukee from Lawrence to Elston. Unfortunately, the one that CDOT originally said would have had the greatest safety benefit for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers is now off the table.
August 22, 2014
Community Meeting Scheduled About Jeff Park P-Street Proposal
Interestingly, some of the city’s outlying wards are leading the way when it comes to creating pedestrian-friendly business districts. Last week, I reported how 33rd Ward Alderman Deb Mell has proposed an ordinance that would designate three Albany Park retail strips as Pedestrian Streets. Earlier this week, 45th Ward Alderman John Arena sent a letter to constituents announcing that he has filed an ordinance to do the same thing on two streets in Jefferson Park.
August 22, 2014
No Cycling Wins in 45th Ward PB Election But Milwaukee PBLs Still Possible
For the second year in the row, voters passed over bicycle projects in the 45th Ward’s participatory budgeting election. But separately, a safety overhaul of Milwaukee Avenue, including protected bike lanes, may still be in the works for this Northwest Side district.
May 16, 2014
Milwaukee Road Diet and PBLs Debated at Community Meeting
Proponents and opponents discussed the proposed Milwaukee safety overhaul Wednesday night at a Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association meeting in the basement of the Congregational Church. Although association president Judy Skotzko emphasized the meeting was not called specifically to talk about the road diet and protected bike lane project, many of the nearly 40 neighbors and advocates present seemed eager to debate its merits.
January 31, 2014