City preps Dan Ryan alternates
The same day new parking restrictions took effect on alternate routes to the Dan Ryan Expy., city officials Wednesday outlined other measures aimed at minimizing headaches during the expressway's two-year makeover.
Eighty of the city's traffic signals have been retimed, so that motorists using alternate routes designated by the Illinois Department of Transportation have shorter travel times. Eighty more signals will be synchronized by April 3, according to Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation.
The signaling changes are to be concentrated on eight major roads, including Ashland and Stony Island avenues, State Street and Michigan Avenue, officials said.
IDOT expects about 15 percent of the 320,000 vehicles that use the Dan Ryan daily to switch to other routes when lane capacity on the expressway is cut in half -- from 13th Street down to the Interstate 57 split -- beginning April 1.
'Use public transportation'
The city also plans to deploy 65 traffic control aides as needed at busy intersections, along with additional staff to monitor obstructions and problems.
Maintenance along the alternate routes will be done at night or during off-peak hours, said the city's Transportation Department chief, Cheri Heramb.
The goal is to get more cars off the Dan Ryan and onto the alternates. Better yet, "use public transportation," said Mayor Daley's chief of staff, Ron Huberman.
On Wednesday, Chicago Police began enforcing a weekday, rush-hour parking ban on six streets: Stony Island from 95th to 57th streets; Ashland from 95th Street to Roosevelt Road; Roosevelt from Ashland to Canal Street; Cottage Grove Avenue from 95th to 35th streets; King Drive from 95th to 83rd streets, and Vincennes Avenue from 112th to 71st streets.
A police spokeswoman said it was too soon to say how many tickets were written the first day.
Starting April 3, violators of the ban will have their vehicles towed, Huberman said.