North Lake Shore Drive Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “redefine the drive” project?

A project team comprised of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Chicago Department of Transportation
(CDOT), and Chicago Park District (CPD) plans to rebuild North Lake Shore Drive from Grand Avenue to Hollywood
Avenue. The proposed project involves improvement of seven miles of the 8-lane Lake Shore Drive boulevard, including
the 12 highway junctions, and the surrounding parkland.

How much will it cost?

The project is not currently funded beyond the planning stages. IDOT must work with partner agencies to conduct
community outreach and develop a design before pursuing funding.

When will it be done?

The state launched the project in 2013 and is currently in the preliminary engineering and environmental study phase,
and is holding multiple public meetings and meeting with community leaders. The final design is scheduled to be
completed by the end of 2018, after which the state can apply for federal funding.

Will the Lakefront Trail be separated?

Independent of the North Lake Shore Drive project, the Park District has committed to separating people biking and
people walking along the full length of the Lakefront Trail by the end of 2018. The project team says it plans to further
enhance the separation and improve access points to the trail as part of the larger reconstruction of the drive.

How many people ride transit currently?

Today, there are 3,300 bus trips in the corridor per day moving about 70,000 people. In comparison to approximately
the 140,000 car trips, most of which are carrying just one passenger, bus riders account for one third of all users on the
roadway every day.

Is demand for transit expected to grow?

Housing development is dense in the corridor and still growing, and most residents prefer to ride transit. In the
surrounding neighborhoods, 35 percent of households own zero automobiles and transit is the most popular commute
choice.

Does the community support better transit service?

Improving transit service was the second biggest priority residents shared with IDOT at the first two public meetings.
Separating people walking and biking on the trail was first, and the state has already said that will be included in the final
design.

What about light rail?

IDOT has decided to eliminate light rail from consideration because there is insufficient funding for it. That was
shortsighted because this project is still many years away, so the funding environment could change. Even today, cities
across the country are funding light rail expansion with strong public support. The project team has acknowledged that
dedicated bus lanes would be designed so they could be upgraded later to light rail.

What about adding managed lanes?

Managed lanes are travel lanes that are restricted to vehicles that pay tolls or carry multiple passengers. Having buses
share lanes with carpools or cars that pay tolls would not necessarily result in a major upgrade to transit service.
Dedicated bus lanes have proven to provide similar service to light rail at a lower cost.