Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about IDOT

Lawrence Avenue in Ravenswood before and after a four-to-three conversion road diet with bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and wider sidewalks. Road diets are an effective strategy to reduce traffic deaths. Images: Google Maps

Illinois traffic deaths were at a 5-year high in 2020. Here’s how to address the problem.

By Audrey Wennink | Sep 29, 2021 | No Comments

We must stop accepting death as the cost of mobility on our auto-dominated transportation system.

Sharrows were installed on the bridge late Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Josh Koonce

No, the new Montrose bridge over Kennedy doesn’t have bike lanes, isn’t getting them

By John Greenfield | Aug 25, 2021 | No Comments

In reality, people riding bikes on the new Montrose bridge aren't getting their own dedicated lane at all, let alone a protected one.

Proposed Pace strategic plan puts emphasis on express buses, ridership metrics

By Igor Studenkov | Jul 14, 2021 | No Comments

The vision of Pace’s future outlined in its proposed new strategic vision plan emphasizes express services along highways and Pulse Arterial Rapid Transit services along major corridors.

San Francisco's Embarcadero was formerly occupied by a double-decker highway, but converted to a boulevard after the highway was damaged by an earthquake. Author Michael Podgers argues that this example suggests eight-lane DuSable Drive could be converted to a surface boulevard with four travel lanes with no negative effects on mobility.

Bus lanes aren’t enough: We must transform DuSable Drive into a multimodal boulevard

By Michael Podgers | Jul 7, 2021 | No Comments

We need to reclaim our lakefront and turn it into the truly spectacular green space we deserve. We need to remove the highway through our parks.

The 5900 block of Sheridan Road in Edgewater. North of Lake Shore Drive, Sheridan is a four-lane traffic sewer. Image: Google Maps

How do you solve a problem like Sheridan Road?

By Courtney Cobbs | Jun 17, 2021 | No Comments

If we're going to convert lanes on Sheridan to make room for sustainable transportation, bus lanes are the most pressing need.

Ghost bike for Kevin Clark installed last Saturday at the Logan/Western crash site. Photo: Courtney Cobbs

In the wake of Kevin Clark’s death, will we enact real change to fix Chicago’s streets?

By Courtney Cobbs | Jun 16, 2021 | No Comments

Do we have the infrastructure and will to implement safe, sustainable, and equitable transportation in Chicago? That remains to be seen.

Kevin Clark with "School of Rock" costar Jack Black.

LaSpata calls for fixing the Kevin Clark crash site: “I could be in the position Kevin was”

By John Greenfield | Jun 7, 2021 | No Comments

LaSpata says he's holding local agencies accountable for fixing the intersection. "Every time a cyclist dies in Chicago we're told that in some sense it was their fault, and I'm really tired of it."

The intersection of Diversey and Albany, looking north, as it appeared in May 2019. The crosswalks have reportedly faded since then. Image: Google Maps

Logan pedestrian fatality highlights how IDOT control of Chicago streets makes us less safe

By John Greenfield | Apr 13, 2021 | No Comments

This horrifying incident has laid bare how the Illinois Department of Transportation having final say on changes to many Chicago streets makes our city more dangerous.

The aftermath of a crash in Woodlwan. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

Chicagoland streets are getting deadlier. Can a new Regional Traffic Safety Agenda fix it?

By Courtney Cobbs | Feb 8, 2021 | No Comments

Data analyzed by CMAP shows that the number of traffic fatalities trended upwards during the 2010. The agency is working on a new plan to reduce crashes.

The Prairie Path north of Butterfield Road, looking north. Image: Google Maps

Here’s what we should do to actually make the Illinois Prairie Path safer in Hillside

By John Greenfield | Jan 8, 2021 | No Comments

Both IDOT's plan to reroute the trail, and village trustee hopeful Roger Romanelli's counter-proposal, have shortcomings.

Hillside Neighbors press conference in November at Roger Romanelli's (center) home, with mayoral candidate Gwen Amber and trustee candidate Dan Adams. Note that, unlike what Romanelli and Adams are demonstrating here, face masks should be worn over both the nose and mouth. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Ashland BRT NIMBY Roger Romanelli is fighting IDOT’s plan to relocate the Prairie Path

By Igor Studenkov | Jan 5, 2021 | No Comments

Romanelli, who helped kill Chicago's plan for bus rapid transit, is now trying to do the same thing with an Illinois Department of Transportation proposal to relocate a section of the Prairie Path.

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