South Lake Shore Drive is an important part of the City's transportation system. It's an essential commuter link between the Loop and the South Side. South Lake Shore Drive provides access to recreational and tourism activities in Burnham and Jackson parks.

As transportation, recreation and tourism have grown, so have traffic volumes. In 2000, South Lake Shore Drive had more than 100,000 daily users. Heavy traffic and the seasonal weather contrasts have led to a crumbling road.

The outlook for South Lake Shore Drive is brighter. More than 6 miles of the roadway - from 23rd to 67th Streets - is being rebuilt. The South Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction Project is funded by the Illinois FIRST program with additional funding from the City of Chicago and the Federal Highway Administration.

Public meetings were held and the city received valuable feedback. City planners and engineers spent much of the past three years working with community groups. As a result, more park space and trees have been added to the plans.

Major improvements include:

• Completely reconstruct South Lake Shore Drive from 23rd Street to 67th Street.

  Artist rendering of proposed 31st Street overpass.

• Rebuild ramps and intersections at 31st Street, Oakwood Blvd., Hyde Park Blvd., 53rd Street, 57th Drive, Hayes Drive, and Marquette Drive.

  Sculpted hippo's head from the Animal Bridge. Click to view entire bridge. View larger image

• Reconfigure lanes to improve traffic flow. Construct center median with architectural details.

• Maintain Lake Michigan water quality with a new storm sewer system.

• Add more than 14 acres of green space. Enhancements will include new median landscaping, trees, bushes, perennials and ornamental grasses.

• Save and restore historic Animal Bridge in Jackson Park at Marquette and Coast Guard Drives. Pedestrian walkways will be constructed along both sides of this bridge.

• Improve lakefront access with five new pedestrian/bike underpasses and updated paths in Jackson Park. The underpasses will be fully accessible to people with disabilities.

  
  Artist rendering of proposed underpass at 63rd Street.

• Add a boardwalk along the 57th Street beach.

• Improve CTA bus access at the 31st Street Beach.

During construction, access to museums, cultural sites, parks, beaches, hospitals and schools will be maintained.

The entire project is scheduled to take three years to complete. Reconstruction began in September 2001. Major reconstruction is set for 2002 and 2003.