CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that site preparation work is scheduled to begin next week on the Jackson Park Mobility Improvements Project, a series of transportation improvements in Jackson Park that have been coordinated with the construction of the Obama Presidential Center (OPC).   

Starting next week, weather permitting, motorists can expect daily off-peak lane closures for site preparation work on Stony Island Avenue, Hayes Drive and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive. This will continue through mid-March.  

Starting in mid-March, reconstruction work will begin on Hayes Drive between Cornell Drive and Richards Drive.  The public can expect parking restrictions, lane shifts and detours of pedestrian paths.  

To keep informed about the coming construction work, traffic impacts, and job and contracting opportunities, the public can sign up to receive periodic updates at: www.jacksonparkimprovements.org.  

The Jackson Park Mobility Improvements Project was approved by the City Council in 2018 and will create new green space in Jackson Park by converting the following roadway segments to parkland:  

• Cornell Drive between North Midway Plaisance and Hayes Drive  
• South Midway Plaisance between Stony Island Avenue and Cornell Drive  
• Marquette Drive between Stony Island Avenue and Richards Drive  

• Northbound Cornell Drive from 68th Street to where Cornell Drive becomes two-way  
  
  The roadway improvements are designed to enhance pedestrian safety, handle existing and future traffic demand, and improve mobility in and around Jackson Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Following are some of the key improvements:  
    

• Enhancement of Stony Island Avenue with a new streetscape that includes planted medians, trees, left turn lanes at key intersections, new signals, and pedestrian safety refuge islands.  

• Adding a travel lane in each direction on Stony Island Avenue from 59th Street to 65th Street, while maintaining on-street parking and loading lanes.  
• New intersections on Stony Island Avenue at Midway Plaisance, 59th and 60th Streets with pedestrian, traffic safety and capacity improvements.  
• Adding a third southbound travel lane on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 57th Street to Hayes Drive.  
• Improving capacity and safety on Hayes Drive between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Cornell Drive.  
• New pedestrian underpasses in Jackson Park under Hayes Drive west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, with two of them under the new Hayes Drive and Cornell Drive intersection.  

• New pathways within Jackson Park to provide key connections for people biking or walking through the park, connecting the new and existing underpasses.  
  
  CDOT will phase construction work in Jackson Park to minimize impacts to travel times where possible. CDOT will also coordinate with the contractor to work as expeditiously as possible, minimizing the overall disruption to traffic in the area.  Pedestrian and bicycle access will be maintained throughout the construction project, with a focus on access to properties on Stony Island, destinations in Jackson Park, and CTA bus stops.  
  
  Motorists who drive through the area are advised to allow extra time and to re-route to avoid delays.   
  
  CDOT also advises the public to consider transit options, including the CTA and Metra Electric line.  
  
  Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and construction signage when entering and driving through work zones. Please obey the posted speed limits and remain on the alert for workers and equipment, as well as pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists.  
  
  For more information, go to www.jacksonparkimprovements.org.