CATS Press Conference Prepares Region for 2004 Construction Season
The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) hosted its annual Spring Construction and Transit Press Conference on Wednesday, February 10, at CATS headquarters, 300 W. Adams, Chicago.
Representatives from AAA Chicago Motor Club, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), Metra and Pace provided information regarding upcoming Chicago and suburban construction projects, interagency construction coordination and tips for coping with construction.
Villa Park President Rae Rupp Srch, is vice chairman of the CATS Council of Mayors Executive Committee, and a member of its Policy and Work Program committees, served as emcee. The American Automobile Association (AAA) co-sponsored the event.
Following is a brief summary of information provided by agency representatives regarding spring 2004 construction projects to be undertaken in the metropolitan area:
·John Tomczyk, senior project director for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), said it would continue to rebuild all the viaducts over the Dan Ryan and Kennedy expressways. Working in conjunction with IDOT, CDOT is rebuilding more than 30 viaducts along both expressways.
CDOT’s other major projects include:
o Reconstructing the intersections of Clark and Roosevelt, and 130th and Torrence.
o Rebuilding and making improvements to several major arterial streets, including Chicago Avenue (from Milwaukee to Grand), 63rd Street (from Ashland to Morgan) and Grand Avenue (from Fullerton to Central).
o The North Avenue bridge will be reconstructed to create two lanes in each direction.
o Crews will begin to rebuild the westbound half of the “High Bridge” on the Skyway, causing traffic lanes to be reduced. Work will also continue on the Skyway between 75th and 79th streets, and new ramps will be built at 92nd and 105th streets.
o Drivers along South Lake Shore Drive can also expect some lane closures as crews finish up work on five new underpasses and a new boardwalk at 57th Street Beach.
·Leanne Redden, chief of planning for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), outlined the agency’s $251 million capital program for 2004. She provided information about the multi-agency effort to rebuild and widen the south end of the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) from U.S. 41 in Indiana to 163rd Street over the next three years. This year, ISTHA will be doing substructural work on the Markham Yard Bridge. The project is not expected to create significant lane closures this year.
Work will continue on the final phase of the Cal-Sag Bridge widening and reconstruction effort, resulting in lane shifts and crossovers.
Redden also detailed pavement reconstruction plans for the East West Tollway (I-88), between Route 59 and Naperville Road. Three lanes of traffic will be maintained during peak travel times.
·Dirk Fuqua, engineer of project implementation for IDOT District One, detailed construction plans for this spring. Work will continue on the Kingery Expressway (I-80) from I-294 to U.S. 41 and on I-94/IL 394 from 159th Street.
An extra lane will be added along the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) in each direction between 47th and 63rd streets and 67th and 95th streets. This project will include reconfiguring the Skyway to eliminate dangerous crossovers.
Two auxiliary lanes will be added to I-55 from Weber Road to Veterans Parkway. Work is set to begin on April 1 and be completed by late August. Improvements are also to be made on Illinois 120 from Dot Street to Illinois Route 31 in McHenry. The project includes widening, pavement reconstruction and traffic signal modernization.
·Blaine Krage, public relations specialist for Pace Suburban Bus Service, provided information about how Pace’s new Intelligent Bus System, along with content and on-board broadcasting monitors provided by Transit Television Network (TTN), can make traveling on Pace buses more convenient and enjoyable for passengers this construction season.
Complete information about Pace routes and schedules can be obtained by visiting www.pacebus.com.
·Bennie Smith, vice president of capital construction for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), talked about his agency’s plans for the Red, Blue and Brown lines.
·Steve Bernth, president and chief operating officer for AAA Chicago Motor Club, offered tips for getting through this year’s road construction season safely and stress-free. His suggestions include:o Pay attention to the road;
o Don’t eat, use cell phones or engage in any other distracting activities while driving;
o Don’t tailgate;
o Obey road signs;
o Plan ahead;
o Be patient;
o Leave extra time for travel.
The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for northeastern Illinois, designated by state and local officials to administer the urban transportation planning process for the region. The area serviced by CATS includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, plus a portion of Kendall County.