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Investing in Our Future: Enhancing Transportation in the Loop

A $100-150 million investment in three transportation projects to improve access, speed, and reliability for over 250,000 daily transit trips in the Loop. This commitment to a world-class transportation system benefits residents, employers, employees, and tourists.

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Investing in Our Future: Enhancing Transportation in the Loop

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  1. An Investment in our Future • $100-150 Million investment in three transportation projects prioritizing the movement of people to and through the Loop • Washington/Wabash CTA Station • Loop Link • Union Station Transit Center (USTC) • Improves access, speed, and reliability for over 250,000 daily transit trips • Commitment to world-class transportation system that benefits residents, employers and employees, and tourists • Improvements to traffic flow and safety for all users of the roadway – pedestrians, transit users, bicyclists and motorists

  2. Downtown Benefits • Demonstrates commitment to world-class sustainable transport • Convenient, expanded access to more downtown destinations • Improved multi-modal connections between bus, rail and bike • Enhances downtown’s attractiveness for business, better job retention • Further extends transit’s reach in city and suburbs • 65% of Loop commuters currently arrive by transit • Faster, more reliable commute times • Generates pedestrian traffic to retailers

  3. Loop Link – Project Purpose • Improve mobility in the Loop for residents, employees, businesses and visitors • Provide faster, more reliable bus service • Organize traffic flow and improve pedestrian environment and bike network

  4. Loop Link Features • Dedicated bus lanes with red concrete surface for 6 bus routes • 8 Link Stations with easy boarding • Bus Queue Jump at 7 intersections • Protected bike lanes and bicycle traffic signals • Resurfacing of all impacted streets • New pick-up/drop-off configuration at Union Station on Canal Street

  5. Loop Link Features

  6. Loop Link Corridors & Station Locations

  7. Link Stations • Platform lengths vary between 115’ and 153’ to accommodate two articulated buses at the same time, plus access ramps • 90’ station shelter compared to current 14’ JC Decaux shelter • Visually appealing and transparent to maintain sightlines of adjacent buildings/businesses/sidewalks • Station 14’ high to shelter boarding/alighting passengers

  8. Pedestrian Benefits • Increased sidewalk space by removing existing bus shelters and signs from the sidewalk • Reduced conflicts at intersections with changes to traffic signals and turn restrictions • Link stations and/or protected bike lanes buffer pedestrians from motor vehicle traffic

  9. Transit Rider Benefits • Improved bus service reliability and travel times with exclusive bus lanes • New distinctive bus stations with level boarding, weather protection, lighting, and real time LED bus arrival times • Better and more understandable wayfinding, including connections to/from Metra and CTA Rail • Improved safety and security with installation of CCTV cameras • Accessibility for persons with Disabilities (ADA)

  10. Bicyclist Benefits • Direct connections to existing bikeways • Eastbound & westbound barrier protected bike lanes connecting the Loop to Ogilvie Transportation Center • Two-way barrier protected bike lane on Clinton Street eliminates conflicts on Canal Street • Eliminates bike/bus conflicts on Madison Street Existing Bikeway Proposed Bikeway Removed Bikeway

  11. Motorist Benefits • More reliable travel times due to reduced conflicts with buses and bikes • Improved turning movements with changes to traffic light phasing • Protected right turns can increase turning capacity and reduce conflicts with peds and bikes • Permissive/protected left turns will increase turning capacity and reduce conflicts with peds • At least two general traffic lanes maintained on all streets • Buses will no longer operate on Monroe Street, reducing conflicts/congestions • All garages/alleys will remain accessible • New drop-off/pick-up area at Union Station

  12. Roadway Changes • All existing right and left turns will be maintained except at 4 locations where right turns will be restricted for safety reasons and improved traffic flow • Various design treatments and traffic signal modifications will be used to organize traffic, increase safety for all modes, and maintain throughput

  13. Loading and Curbside Uses • To increase bus speed and reliability, better organize traffic, and improve traffic flow, curbside uses will be altered on most blocks along the Link corridors and prohibited on some • This includes legal and illegal parking, standing, loading, and pick-ups/drop-offs • CDOT has identified potential alternative locations to perform existing curbside activities, including cross-streets, alleys, and modifications to existing curbside regulations • CDOT will meet/work with all stakeholders along the corridors (buildings and businesses) to ensure their needs are met

  14. Education and Enforcement Efforts • CDOT will issue flyers and media information prior to Link implementation describing the changes to the roadway configuration and curbside use restrictions • CDOT will work with various stakeholders who frequently utilize the corridors, but do not live/work/own on the corridor, to ensure these stakeholders understand the changes to the roadway configuration and curbside use restrictions • FedEx, UPS, USPS, Brinks, charter buses, etc. • CDOT will work with the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and the Department of Finance to ensure all users of the roadway are complying with the new roadway configuration

  15. Construction Phasing - Estimated • March 16: Madison and Clinton • Madison: begins at State and progresses westbound; work on Madison between Michigan and State will occur in the summer • Clinton: begins at Randolph and progresses southbound • April: Union Station Transit Center • Jackson, between Clinton and Canal • Spring: Washington and Canal • Washington: begins at Clinton and progresses eastbound • Canal: begins at Van Buren and progresses northbound • Late-Summer: Randolph • Repaving/bike lane installation begins at Michigan and progresses westbound • Water Department construction on Randolph commences in spring before Loop Link work • Late-2015: Loop Link ready for use • Spring 2016: Canal • Median installation between Adams and Jackson • Coordinating with adjacent projects to minimize traffic impacts • Washington/Wabash CTA Station • Union Station Transit Center • Adams Street Viaduct

  16. Questions? mike.amsden@cityofchicago.org charlene.walsh@cityofchicago.org

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