Blog

Route 53 extension will only create more congestion

May 24, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Raise your hand if you've heard this before: A state agency makes false promises to the public that building or extending a road will completely solve traffic congestion problems.

This time, it's the Illinois Tollway Authority, which announced plans to take a step towards extending Illinois Route 53 in Lake County.

Yesterday, an Illinois Tollway subcommittee approved a $25 million proposal to conduct an environmental impact study (EIS) for the Route 53 extension.

Dedicated bus lanes in Cleveland: a major success

May 23, 2017 | by Active Trans

Speeding up buses in urban areas and attracting more riders is a difficult task if transit vehicles are constantly stuck in traffic.

Cleveland learned this lesson nearly 10 years ago and it continues to reap the benefits.

In building a corridor that prioritizes bus traffic with dedicated lanes, Cleveland embraced the reality that buses are moving many more people much more efficiently than cars with one or two passengers. That extra street space is extremely valuable in cities like Cleveland and Chicago.

Los Angeles ‘signals’ the way to better bus service

May 22, 2017 | by Active Trans

Chicago should look to the West Coast as it considers investing more to speed up local buses.

Seventeen years ago, when Los Angeles County decided to give its buses priority at traffic signals, the buses experienced huge gains in speed and reliability. The county has a massive bus system that accounts for a majority of all public transportation trips.

Through surveys and communications with bus riders, the transit agency learned that existing local and limited-stop service was too slow and unreliable.

North Side Lakefront Trail detour starts Monday

May 18, 2017 | by Active Trans

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To make way for trail separation, the park district plans to close the Lakefront Trail between Diversey and North Avenue and redirect users to a marked detour through Lincoln Park.

See a map of the official detour from Diversey to North Avenue.

After breaking ground on the project over the weekend, the temporary closure will take effect Monday, May 22 and is expected to last about three months.

The architect behind the Chicago Riverwalk

May 18, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Carol Ross Barney has done it again. The noted Chicago architect — who is renowned for her civic, cultural and social design projects for the public — has made an indelible impact in Chicago with the completion of the Chicago Riverwalk. 

Given that the full Riverwalk officially opens on Saturday with a host of special events, we thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know the woman behind the design of one of Chicago’s most exciting pieces of new infrastructure. 

Prepaid, all-door boarding is working in San Francisco

May 17, 2017 | by Active Trans

In 2012, San Francisco’s MUNI transit system implemented a revolutionary concept to America’s bus systems – pre-paid, all-door boarding for all of its street vehicles, including buses and trolleys.

Bus riders could now enter through any door of any vehicle at any time and tap their transit card on a reader that’s adjacent to the door to verify payment. Riders who don’t have transit cards could pay their fare before boarding and carry a receipt on board for proof of payment.

NW Side trails and bikeways workshop May 25

May 16, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Do you live on the Northwest Side and want to improve trails and bike routes in your neighborhood?

Would you like to learn more about supporting regional paths like a Chicago River Trail? There's still time to RSVP for our workshop on May 25 at Gompers Park Fieldhouse.

A key part of our plan for a Chicago River Trail involves engaging supporters like you who have in-depth knowledge about how to improve crossings and create low-stress bikeways.

Making one of the city’s crown jewels safer for everyone

May 15, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Saturday’s groundbreaking on the Lakefront Trail was a great moment for everyone who enjoys one of Chicago’s most beloved — but extremely congested — public spaces. 

For Saturday’s event, I joined Mayor Rahm Emanuel, local philanthropist Ken Griffin, Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael Kelly, Alderman Michelle Smith and others to mark the beginning of a project that will create separate trail spaces for people biking and walking on the Lakefront Trail between North Avenue and Fullerton (see photo).

Jumping the turnstile shouldn’t be a misdemeanor

May 12, 2017 | by Active Trans

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The growing attention on the dangers of excessive criminalization of low-income people and communities of color has extended into the world of public transit.

Last year the State of California decriminalized transit fare evasion for minors, making evading a fare a finable offense but no longer a misdemeanor. Around the same time prosecutors in Portland decided to stop pursuing charges except in extreme cases or cases of chronic offenders.

Mobilizing for a better Milwaukee Ave.

May 11, 2017 | by Active Trans

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Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago’s Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood is one of the busiest streets for walking and biking in the entire city. The street also sees an unacceptable number of people walking and biking injured in preventable crashes.

In the five years between 2011 and 2015, there were 195 bicycle injury crashes, 56 pedestrians injured, and one pedestrian fatality. There were also 74 reported dooring crashes – 6 percent of the citywide total – according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.