Revive Wacker Drive, Part 2 remains on-schedule and on-budget

CHICAGO –The Chicago Department of Transportation will start the next stage of Wacker Drive rebuilding on January 9 by beginning the construction of the Monroe Street and Adams Street intersections after completing the Madison Street intersection on-time and on-budget. The $300 million reconstruction of Wacker Drive, which will completely rebuild and modernize the upper and lower levels of the nearly 60-year-old roadway, is scheduled for completion in late-2012.

 This stage of construction will close the Monroe Street and Adams Street intersections until summer, and the Madison Street intersection will be re-opened to all traffic.

 “Our crewscontinue to work efficiently to meet the demands of a very aggressive construction schedule,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein. “We will maintain that same level of efficiency in 2012 so that motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists can again have full access to this vital roadway and the businesses that surround it.”

Pedestrian Impacts

East-West

Sidewalks along Madison Street will re-open to all pedestrian traffic. CDOT will also maintain a pedway on the north side of Monroe Street at Wacker Drive. Jackson Boulevard remains open to all pedestrian traffic.

 North-South

Pedestrians can continue to use Canal Street and Franklin Street for north-south travel. The sidewalk along the east side of Wacker Drive from Jackson Boulevard will remain open to allow access to Willis Tower’s Wacker Drive entrance.

 All buildings and businesses near the construction zone will remain open and accessible throughout the project. Please visit www.wackerdrive.org to view the pedestrian and building access map for complete details.

Vehicle & Bicycle Impacts

East-West

Madison Street will re-open the week of Jan. 9 to all westbound traffic. Jackson remains open to all eastbound traffic.

North-South

Franklin Street remains open to two-way traffic to accommodate vehicles detoured from north-south Wacker Drive. Northbound traffic can continue to use Canal Street for an alternate route.

Lower Wacker will remain open for local access only.

Public Transit

CDOT is partnering with the CTA and Office of Emergency Management and Communications to ensure both public transportation and traffic flow as smoothly as possible. Bus re-routes will be available on the CTA’s website, www.transitchicago.com/wacker.

Metra will be leaving messages on its trains and will have pedestrian detour information at its transportation centers.

 
Project Overview

North-South Wacker Drive was originally built in 1955, and is in need of a complete reconstruction. Revive Wacker Drive, Part 2 will modernize the upper and lower levels of Wacker Drive by creating safer, more efficient roadways for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Part 2 of the project picks up where the 2001-2002 reconstruction left off.

The improvements will be met with wider roadways, a new ramp from the upper to lower level at Monroe Street and a new left-turn lane for northbound Wacker at Randolph. As of 2009, approximately 60,000 vehicles travel daily on the upper and lower levels of Wacker. Modernizing Wacker Drive will not only improve safety, but will relieve congestion, reduce travel times and enhance aesthetics for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

 Revive Wacker Drive, Part 2will continue the second half of 2012 with the reconstruction of Jackson Boulevard to Van Buren Street. Work also continues at the Wacker/Congress Parkway interchange, which is being reconfigured to improve traffic flow and safety, as well as create a new three-acre park. Revive Wacker Drive, Part 2 is scheduled for completion in late-2012.

 For the latest construction updates and project news, please visit www.wackerdrive.org.