Is there help to be found from City of Chicago in addressing road hazards to cyclists and peds? (was "Water Crews...", "Open Letter...")
12/8/2011:
Old/outdated content follows:
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Dear Rahm, Dear Jason,
On the evening of Tuesday November 8 2011 I observed that there had been digging at the intersection of W. 24th Street and S. Rockwell and plates had been put down, but apparently the crew did not have large enough plates to cover the hole.
Disappointingly, they left a gap between the plates about 5" wide, as seen in this image taken tonight:
I called this in to 311 and asked them to mark it "urgent."
On November 11 I passed the spot and noticed nothing had changed, and placed a second 311 request.
On November 15 I called the 28th Ward Streets and Sanitation office, and Eileen was nice enough to call me back a few hours later when she returned to the office. I explained the situation and lack of follow-up to her and hoped that she would be able to get the problem rectified.
This evening, November 17, I again noted nothing had changed. As I stopped to photograph the problem another man on a bicycle rode up and told me that he had called 311 about this problem as well.
Per a 311 supervisor, all requests are still marked as "open."
To Rahm: I understand that you are trying to increase the efficiency of infrastructure repairs and improvements, but assuming that this is the handiwork of independent contractors, it is clear that basic public safety considerations are not being observed.
To Jason:
I find it surprising that a call to your streets and sanitation office regarding a hazard such as this would not be met with a timely response. My previous experience with this office under your predecessor was actually quite exemplary.
Views: 1371
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Charlie Short 2.9 on
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2400 S. Rockwell, try that.
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Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on
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That worked. Thanks for your help.
Charlie Short said:2400 S. Rockwell, try that.
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Hey Howard! I don't ride near the area. Any update on this?
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h' said:...I did in the process learn that LG Octane phones occasionally lose the ability to save photos and that a reboot fixes the problem though.....
What in the h' are you talking about, HAHA ahhh, that's funny, but I am sure very important if you know what an LG Octane phone is.
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Permalink Reply by Mark on
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Not that this should matter, but the north half of that intersection is in the 28th Ward, while the south half is in the 12th Ward.
Good luck. I hope it is repaired soon.
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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on
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Apparently this isn't a priority. Just put on your helmet and come to a complete stop at intersections and you'll be fine.
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Permalink Reply by Ash L. on
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If you won't be at MBAC next week, I can bring it up to Ben Gomberg. The photos definitely help to illustrate the extent of the problem.
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Sarcasm fail Howard. Perhaps I should change my username to James BlackKettle.
I would like to convey that my desire wasn't to derail but to agree with you here. I wish to highlight my belief that this SHOULD be a priority over other, less-helpful, priorities such as those I lightheartedly mentioned with my previous mordant post.
Sorry to hear you won't be at the MBAC.
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EXCELLENT idea with the traffic cones! You have just saved someone from injury with that Howard.
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Howard-
Shoot me an email, I can get you some of the contact info you're looking for.
charlie.short@cityofchicago.org
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+1 Cameron.
This systemic problem complicates the already troublesome issues of many alderman who just don't care about streets or infrastructure as a whole, or bikes in general. One of the most vexing issues to bike-safe routes are the pinch-point crossings of the expressways and the river which often tend to also be aldermatic borders.
Plus it is just the general lack of caring for us bicycles and even peds when it comes to streets. The poor quality of street-cut patching is not just a border issue, nor are dangerous curbs and bottomless holes into the sewers such as the excellent example Howard posted above. There is a dangerous curb hole right off of the crosswalk on Milwaukee just 150' from Alderman Colon's office. It's been there for at least 5 years without so much as anyone looking at it -much less patched. It's a real ankle-buster and I'm surprised nobody has been seriously hurt, considering that this stretch of Milwaukee has a lot of ped crossing issues as it is and tons of ped traffic due to the grocery store and Cafe Con Leche being right there and a McDonalds across the street.
There is another similar dangerous hole in the curb very near the Logan Square Blue Line station just a block further away from the Alderman's office.
With the imminent zoning change striking any mention of the term "pedestrian street" from this 2-block stretch of Milwaukee I can only imagine that the ped-friendly infrastructure in this area is only going to worsen rather than get better in favor of car-friendly infrastructure that will make the street more of a highway than a shared resource for bikes and peds.
These horribly-placed plates and poorly-patched cuts are a danger to bikes and peds are just another example of how bikes and peds are second-class citizens when it comes to street infrastructure and maintenance priorities. Cars, and high-speed thoroughfare of them, seem to be the only priority other than a bit of lip-service for a few new bike lanes that soon become invisible anyhow when the city refuses to repaint the lines ever again.
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