CDOT and Alderman Lopez Break Ground on 47th Street Resurfacing Project

May 2, 2018

Mike Claffey    312.744.0707 | Michael.Claffey@cityofchicago.org

Susan Hofer    312.742.2006 | Susan.Hofer@cityofchicago.org

Ground Breaking
 
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) was joined today by Alderman Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) for a ground breaking for a resurfacing project that will improve the roadway and safety on a stretch of 47th Street from Western Avenue to Racine Avenue. The project, which is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Building a New Chicago Program, will provide new ADA crosswalk ramps, sidewalk bumpouts to improve safety and a smooth pavement along the 1.5 mile stretch of 47th Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
 
“Investments to upgrade our roadways are investments in our neighborhoods and Chicago’s future,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “The resurfacing of 47th Street through the Back of the Yards will create a better community for residents, a better environment for small businesses and their customers.”
 
The first phase of the project in May involves concrete work to install 26 ADA compliant curb ramps at corners and 29 sidewalk bumpouts at intersections along the project area. Sidewalk bumpouts improve safety by making pedestrians more visible to oncoming traffic and by shortening crossing distances. The second phase, to be completed in June and July after the Back of the Yards Festival, will involve repaving to provide a smooth pavement.  The project touches on three Wards, the 15th, 12th and the 20th.
 
“This stretch of 47th Street is a core part of our ward and provides an economic anchor for our community,” Alderman Lopez said. “These improvements will make Back of the Yards more appealing and safer in terms of traffic safety and are welcomed by residents and businesses in our community.”
 
“This resurfacing project on 47th Street is a good example of how upgrading infrastructure can make a difference to a community,” CDOT Commissioner Scheinfeld said. “We are eager to get started on this work and deliver these quality of life improvements here in the 15th Ward and across the City of Chicago.”
 
The event comes about one week after Mayor Emanuel kicked off the 2018 paving season. The Mayor announced last week that the City has identified the first 200 of the overall 275 miles of streets it will repave this construction season, bringing Chicago to more than 2,000 miles repaved since 2011. Chicago. 
 
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Since the Mayor took office, CDOT, the Water Department and private utilities have repaired or resurfaced more than one third of the City’s residential and arterial streets and alleys.