Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonsai Tree
Redefine the Drive
I know that this is transit adjacent- but thought that since it impacts bus route along the lake I would post about it.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/07...advocates-say/
I hope IDOT gets sued out of their mind for refine the drive. It's insane to me that the year is 2024, and we are actually discussing a highway expansion on the lakefront. Downright terrible plan with tons of misleading graphics and misinformation presented by IDOT. I've read over their technical memorandum, and this option will increase the amount of asphalt in our parks- in some areas more substantially than others. To not include any provisions for transit in the plans as well is ridiculous. IDOT claimed it would take riders away from the redline- they offered no evidence for this claim other than their feelings.
State DOTs need a good look in the mirror and need to move on from the 1950s. The fact that Wisconsin and Indiana have state DOTs more willing to embrace new transportation techniques is embarrassing. IDOT is an embarrassment.
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I don't really see what you're seeing in the proposal. I see no additional lanes of roadway, bus priority at interchange on and off ramps, much better pedestrian and bike trails and more overall green space. While I tend to agree a full bus only lane would be nice, the biggest problem for busses right now is sitting in auto traffic. Changing a lane from auto to bus would help, but then auto traffic gets much worse. Adding a new bus only lane takes away too much green space by working the road even more. Actually getting rid of the Chicago Ave light helps immensely, given most of the gridlock, especially southbound, is from that signal and most express busses exit at Michigan Ave anyhow.
The proposal shows far more access points to cross than currently exist, with much improved pedestrian and bike infrastructure.
Light rail or a new heavy rail line wouldn't be feasible due to cost.
Not sure what else could be reasonably expected here? Other than full tunneling along the lakefront costing tens of billions of dollars, what world make this much better?