Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Metropolitan Planning Council

The new Washington-Wabash 'L' station opened in 2017. The Senate infrastructure bill funds new transit projects like this, but includes no money for day-to-day operations. Photo: John Greenfield

Chicago transportation advocates weigh in on car-centric federal infrastructure bill

By Courtney Cobbs | Aug 16, 2021 | No Comments

The increased investment in walking, biking, and transit is great, but these investments are at risk of being outweighed by an increase in roadway expansion.

Lessons on building bike culture from Latin America

By Courtney Cobbs | Jun 17, 2021 | No Comments

Latin American cities can provide insights on how to build bike culture. Mobility experts from Mexico City and Bogotá shared how their cities are creating a bike culture.

The "Blue Wave" bridge at 41st Street and the lakefront, one of three recently completed or planned bike-ped bridges over Lake Shore Drive. Photo: John Greenfield

Advocates: Lightfoot’s infrastructure plan may be more of the car-centric status quo

By John Greenfield | Apr 27, 2021 | No Comments

The Active Transportation Alliance and Metropolitan Planing Council say the plan lacks specifics and needs more transparency.

Missing sidewalks make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to access bus stops. Photo via MPC

MPC’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends” study looks at state of ADA transition planning

By John Greenfield | Apr 22, 2021 | No Comments

30+ years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, many agencies never even created an ADA transition plan, let alone fixing all their access barriers.

Boarding a #157 Streeterville/Taylor bus this month on Michigan Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

What will the new COVID stimulus bill mean for Chicagoland transit?

By John Greenfield | Dec 21, 2020 | No Comments

Chicago-area transit agencies and advocates are generally taking a glass-half-full view of the news, noting that in the short term the subsidy will prevent a "beyond-doomsday" scenario.

What will and should Biden-Harris mean for transportation? Experts, advocates weigh in

By John Greenfield | Nov 9, 2020 | No Comments

After the initial euphoria of Saturday’s election result wore off, Streetsblog Chicago reached out to local transportation leaders to get their take on what the Biden-Harris administration will mean for sustainable transportation, based on the candidates’ platform and statements. We also asked these experts and advocates, as well as our readers, what they’d like to […]

Opened drawbridges limiting entrance and egress to and from the Loop during the George Floyd protests. Photo: John Greenfield

Advocates blast mayor’s refusal to rule out a CTA shutdown if there’s election unrest

By John Greenfield | Oct 30, 2020 | No Comments

"I'm not going to hesitate" to shut down transit and Divvy again in the event of civil unrest Lightfoot told Streetsblog this morning.

Rendering of proposed changes to the Palmer / Pulaski intersection. Note that all renderings in this post are intended as conversation starters and have not actually been proposed by the city of Chicago. Image: Lyft / Street Plans

ATA, MPC push for funds for transit, street remixes; Ideas floated for Division, Palmer

By John Greenfield | Sep 28, 2020 | No Comments

Redesigning streets to be more walk/bike/transit-friendly is key for avoiding a spike in driving as workplaces reopen.

An unofficial Trump campaign bus. Image: CBS17.com

That’ll play in Peoria: Trump’s Illinois transit funding tweet is stale news

By John Greenfield | Aug 14, 2020 | No Comments

While Trump's transit tweet was relatively inoffensive and truthful, compared to his usual depressingly low bar, it wasn't actually saying anything new.

Walking and biking in Chicago's Douglas community area. Photo: John Greenfield

How do we promote efficient and equitable transportation during and after the pandemic?

By Imelda March | Apr 24, 2020 | No Comments

Audrey Wennink from the Metropolitan Planning Council and Lynda Lopez from Active Trans discuss what needs to be done to promote mobility justice during the pandemic, and prevent a spike in driving afterwards.

Michele Lee speaks at the Mayor's Pedestrian Advisory Council meeting. Photo: John Greenfield

For wheelchair user Michele Lee, good transit access is key for maintaining independence

By John Greenfield | Feb 14, 2020 | No Comments

After recovering from a car crash, Lee moved from the suburbs to the West Loop for better transportation and retail options, but accessibility gaps still present challenges.

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