CDOT NEWS
NEWS RELEASE
July 1, 2003
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Brian Steele
312/744-0707
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Major roadwork finished in Burnham Park section of South Lake Shore Drive
All lanes reopen between 23rd Street and 56th Street
CHICAGO, July 1, 2003 - This Wednesday (July 2), traffic in the Burnham Park section of South Lake Shore Drive will begin using all lanes of the newly reconstructed roadway in both directions between 23rd Street and 56th Street, the Chicago Department of Transportation announced today.
Drivers should continue to expect intermittent lane closures and possible delays throughout the entire area. Although lanes are reopening, the speed limit will remain at 35 mph from 23rd Street to 67th Street.
"Just in time for the peak of summer in Chicago, we've reached this important milestone," said Miguel d'Escoto, CDOT commissioner. "Our big push now is to complete the road reconstruction in Jackson Park."
Areas where construction remains include:
- Southbound Lake Shore Drive from 57th Drive to Marquette Drive (6600 south) in Jackson Park is closed. Ongoing roadway and sewer reconstruction will last through 2003. A posted detour takes traffic through Jackson Park via 57th Drive, Cornell Drive and Marquette Drive. Underpass construction and landscaping in the area at 57th Drive, 59th Street, 63rd Street and Marquette will continue into 2004.
- Marquette Drive from Coast Guard Drive to 67th Street near LaRabida Children's Hospital is being reconstructed. Marquette is closed to westbound traffic with a detour via 67th Street and Jeffery Drive. Eastbound Marquette remains open to traffic but is limited to one lane. Work is ongoing until December 2003.
- The bicycle and pedestrian path from 23rd Street to 67th Street is open. Access is maintained for cyclists and pedestrians, but users should expect detours along temporary paths in both Burnham and Jackson Parks especially between 57th Drive and 67th Street due to underpass, roadway and sea wall construction. Construction-related activities expected to affect the pathways will last into early 2004.
"Once the roadwork is done later this year, our major landscaping plan will shift into high gear. Between now and next June, thousands of trees, shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses will be planted throughout the medians and public areas of Burnham and Jackson Parks," d'Escoto said.
The South Lake Shore Drive reconstruction project began in September 2001 and will be completed in early 2004. Many key elements already are completed or well underway. These include:
- Reconstruction of all Lake Shore Drive lanes from 23rd to 56th Sts. is complete.
- Northbound lanes of Coast Guard Drive and Lake Shore Drive from Marquette Drive to 57th Drive have been reconstructed.
- The underpass structures have been installed in Jackson Park at 59th Street, 63rd Street and Marquette Drive, and half of the underpass structure has been constructed at 57th Drive. A reconstructed 55th Street Underpass is open in Burnham Park.
- A new storm sewer system has been installed between 23rd and 56th Streets.
- The 31st Street Bridge near McCormick Place has been reconstructed and is fully open to traffic.
- Hayes Drive (6300 south) has been reconstructed and realigned to intersect with 63rd Street at South Lake Shore Drive.
- Jeffery Drive is rebuilt and open to traffic.
- Construction of architecturally detailed barrier walls is nearly complete between 23rd Street and 57th Drive and more than halfway done from 57th Drive to Marquette Drive.
For more project information, please call 311 in Chicago or visit the project website at www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation. For CTA or Metra information, call the RTA at 836-7000 from any Chicagoland area code.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: CDOT spokespersons are available for interviews and can arrange photo and b-roll opportunities regarding the completion of this phase of the South Lake Shore Drive Reconstruction Project. Please call Brian Steele at 312/744-0707.)
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