Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about IDOT

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.

Better Streets launches campaign to force LSD planners back to the drawing board

By John Greenfield | Oct 23, 2020 | No Comments

"We don’t have to repeat mistakes of the past -- we have the power to design our own future," they say

Here are new ways to provide input on N. LSD plan, including need for bus lanes

By Jessica Papanek | Sep 29, 2020 | No Comments

More advocacy is needed to keep the drive from being rebuilt in a way that maintains the car-centric status quo.

A rendering of Lake Shore Drive with mixed-traffic lanes converted to dedicated bus lanes. Image: IDOT

LSD bus lanes are back on the table: We’ve won a battle, now let’s win the war

By John Greenfield | Aug 3, 2020 | No Comments

If we're going to address the climate crisis and promote a more equitable transportation system, we need to pressure local officials to take bold action to improve transit.

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