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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 18, 2011 at 8:57am

I was able to attend the public meeting.  IDOT is now in the middle of a Phase I study on proposed improvements to Central Ave. from 79th St. on the south to 63rd St. on the north (at the SW corner of Midway Airport).  IDOT is looking for public comment on the project overall, and two sections where they are considering multiple options.

From 79th St. north to 73rd, the existing street would be widened from 2 to 4 traffic lanes, with a bike lane and sidewalk on each side. This would include ped safety improvements for 3 schools around the intersection of 77th & Central.

 

From 73rd to 65th, it would continue as a 4-lane road, with bikes diverted to a shared sidepath (bikes and pedestrians) on each side, separated from traffic by a barrier. Where the road currently does not exist for through traffic, a tunnel under the railyard would be created, with some daylight openings between tracks (so it would not be a half mile of continuous dark tunnel).

They're studying multiple options for the intersection of 77th & Central, where there is a grade school and 2 high schools. They're also studying two options for the 63rd to 65th St. section - a slight modification of the current design, or widening the right of way enough to accommodate bike lanes and parking, which would require the taking of some commercial property on the west side of Central.  (See brochure links below for details.)

For those of you who aren't as familiar with this area of the city, there is currently a huge gap between rideable north-south routes that cover the section from 65th St. to 70th St. and actually connect with other rideable routes.  The gap runs from California (2800W) to Roberts Rd. (8000W), a distance of 6.5 miles.  To give you a visual, the massive rail yard that would be bypassed by this tunnel is the large gray swath running east-west just below Midway Airport in this satellite image.   The gap between rideable N-S routes covers most of the width of the image.

If you want to ride from the north/east to Palos or other southwest destinations, this proposed connector would be a much safer option than the current alternatives.  Archer is rideable, but many people find it daunting.  If the Central connector is built, it would be much easier to connect southwest destinations with the rest of the city via the CTA orange line and bike.  This would make bikes a more viable means of transportation between neighborhoods near Midway.

I talked to a couple of the IDOT guys. I told them that I was happy to hear about this project and explained what a difference this could make for bike riding on the southwest side, both for transportation and recreation. One of them said he hadn't realized how huge a gap we currently have between rideable N-S routes until he started working on this project. He was very happy to have the positive feedback.  We need to provide a lot more of it.  

 

There is currently partial funding allocated for the project.  If there is enough public support, it greatly improves the chances of this connector getting built.

Public comment is being accepted until 3/19/11 by e-mail or snail mail by:
steven.schilke@illinois.gov OR
Mr. Steve Schilke
Illinois Dept. of Transportation
Bureau of Programming
201 West Center Ct.
Schaumburg, IL 60196-1096

I scanned the brochure, so that any of you who are interested can read it.  It includes info on other options that were studied for this area, such as possible widening of Harlem or Cicero and a really tall flyover bridge at Narragansett.  They've narrowed it down to Central as the most viable option to accommodate multiple modes of transportation: bikes, peds and motor vehicles.

 

They plan to have another public meeting and comment period in the fall, when plans are further refined following the current public comment period.

www.urbanimage5.net/IDOT_Central-Ave/Central_0211_p1.jpg
www.urbanimage5.net/IDOT_Central-Ave/Central_0211_p2.jpg
www.urbanimage5.net/IDOT_Central-Ave/Central_0211_p3.jpg
www.urbanimage5.net/IDOT_Central-Ave/Central_0211_p4.jpg
www.urbanimage5.net/IDOT_Central-Ave/Central_0211_p5.jpg
www.urbanimage5.net/IDOT_Central-Ave/Central_0211_p6.jpg

 

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Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on February 18, 2011 at 12:45pm

Excellent, thanks so much Anne!

 

We'll contact you off list about using your update and getting this info to our members in the area so they can participate in the public comment.

 

We were frustrated about the short notice and appreciate that you were able to attend. We'll want to make sure to get more people involved.

 

Thanks again,

Ethan, with Active Trans

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 18, 2011 at 2:08pm

I'm happy to share the information.  I was lucky that our neighborhood I-Go car was available so I could get to the meeting.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Liston on February 21, 2011 at 2:46pm

Anne,

 

Thanks for attending - I was there as well. The presentations were good and it seems as though there is a chance it may become a reality.  I spoke with some IDOT people too as well as some law enforement officers and St. Laurence High school administration, all seemed in favor. We bikers on the southwest side of Chicago and suburbs have so few choices for safe travel, especially N-S and over the belt way rail yard. This is a start.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on February 22, 2011 at 9:02am

I took a few extra brochures and have been sharing them with people I know who live near the Central location or travel that area regularly.  I've shared the information with plenty of others.  Hopefully this proposal will find plenty of support.

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