City shows off two new bridges on North Halsted

If you’re driving on Halsted Street near Division, you’ll see something bright blue, shiny and new. The new “tied-arch” bridge in the 1100 block of North Halsted is open to traffic, bikers and pedestrians. It’s replacing an old movable — or “bascule” — bridge built in 1904.

Switching problem fixed, residual delays on CTA possible in Loop

A switching problem caused major delays for about an hour on numerous CTA lines Thursday evening in the Loop.

The CTA announced about 5:30 p.m. that switching problems at North Wells and West Lake streets had caused Purple Line trains to be rerouted.

By 6:10 …

Could drivers be able to pay their way out of traffic congestion?

Drivers could be given the option of paying more for a less-congested commute as part of a plan to rebuild and widen I-90 from O’Hare to Rockford. It’s called congestion pricing and it would give people the choice to pay a fee for a better commute.

Is the Canadian government backing Jesse Jackson Jr.’s third airport plans?

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. says his south suburban airport near Peotone is a fully funded package, with two companies signed on to build it and run it. Now a Canadian governmental agency has offered to help make the project a reality.

City Hall releases blueprint for upgrading Union Station

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration released a master plan for Union Station on Wednesday that identifies ways to increase capacity and improve the passenger experience at the nation’s third-busiest railroad terminal. Over the years, there has been no shortage of grand plans for Union Station, which …

Study says Chicago traffic congestion actually got better

Drivers in the Chicago area were stuck in traffic an average of 36 hours in 2011, 12 fewer than the 48 wasted in traffic in 2010, according to INRIX, a company that studies traffic patterns.

The most congested roads in the Chicago area

Nine stretches of Chicago-area expressways made a national list of the most congested roads in 2011.

Extra Lake Shore Drive closure announced as NATO Summit approaches

An extra portion of Lake Shore Drive on the Near North Side will be shut down Sunday evening, adding to a maze of street closures already in place for the NATO Summit.

Starting Sunday at 4 p.m., the drive will be shut down in both …

Some cabdrivers say no to working NATO weekend

Despite the influx of foreign dignitaries, one veteran cabdriver says roughly 30 percent of her colleagues are choosing not to work because they don’t want the hassle of navigating road closures and frustrated passengers.

Protests aside, Friday a quiet day downtown thanks to NATO

Besides the throngs of protesters and police officers roaming Chicago’s streets, the city was kind of a ghost town Friday.

All lanes open on Congress Parkway in the Loop after two years of work

All lanes of Congress Parkway in the Loop are open to traffic after two years of construction headaches, officials announced Tuesday.

Expert tells how to keep motorcades safe

He’s been in the kind of close calls you hide your eyes from in the movies.

A motorcade taking fire on the streets of Beirut, the only way out was the wrong direction. A hop over the median and the entire motorcade shifted gears, throwing …

Metra to close some stations, ban food and drink during NATO

Metra plans to step up security for NATO Summit — including closing 26 stations on Monday, May 21. It’s also banning backpacks and food and drink on trains that day and advising riders to arrive early.

Chicago unveils wide-ranging transportation plan

The Chicago Department of Transportation has unveiled a sweeping and ambitious two-year plan that covers streets, alleys, bridges, rail traffic and even airports.

Controversial Rod Blagojevich ad cleared to ride CTA buses

An ad starring Rod Blagojevich behind bars will soon be on CTA buses even after the transit agency rejected it for apparently making criminal acts seem like entertainment. The FM News 101.1 billboard features the imprisoned governor with bars across his face and the words …