The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is soliciting citizen feedback on plans to redesign the Northern portion of Lakeshore Drive by holding small group meetings tomorrow (October 13, 2020) and Wednesday (October 14, 2020). We need people to attend to tell them that the premise of the project is flawed and that Chicagoans deserve better than repeating 20th century planning mistakes. In case you’re unaware, IDOT wants to widen Lakeshore Drive re-establish it as a freeway for generations to comet. They are begrudgingly considering mild improvements to speed up buses that use Lakeshore Drive, but have made no commitments.

If you attend one of these meetings and want to provide feedback, here are some things to consider:

It’s inappropriate to rebuild 20th century infrastructure that we know harms our environment, increases the risk of crashes, and cuts off access to our city’s greatest asset.
The premise of “redefining” the drive is a lie. Simply continuing to have LSD function as a freeway is not “redefining” the drive. IDOT and CDOT are ignoring their own data that shows 60% of people who drive on LSD would take other means if they were reliable. The potential for more people to utilize the bus in itself invalidates the need for a highway.
Every survey the project puts out prioritizes the needs of drivers and are impossible for non-drivers to answer accurately and honestly. IDOT is continuing to make moving cars it’s priority, not people. Buses carry a lot more passengers than cars and it’s past time to prioritize the movement of people over the movement of cars.
Share with them successful projects that provide precedent! There has been a wave of U.S. and international cities choosing to redevelop their urban highways into a more productive use of space, a space for people to safely walk, roll, bike, and board speedy transit. Are you a fan of Boston’s Big Dig? What about the transformation of the Embarcadero in San Francisco? Maybe the recent restoration of the canal in Utrecht!