The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will host a public meeting to present the draft Purpose and Need Statement, develop transportation alternatives, and obtain feedback from stakeholders for the improvement of US 41 (North Lake Shore Drive).

The meeting will be in an open house format: 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Open House: 1 – 7 p.m.

The Drake Hotel

Gold Coast Ballroom

140 East Walton Place

Chicago, Ill 60611

There will be a continuous audio-visual presentation. Attendees will also be able to participate in a workshop to identify potential solutions to the transportation needs in the study corridor. During the meeting, there will be opportunities to provide input through sketches, written descriptions, or an online mapping application. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mobile device (phone, tablet or laptop) as free Wi-Fi will be available to utilize the online comment and mapping tools.

Those unable to attend can provide written comments or access the mapping tool through the project website at www.northlakeshoredrive.org. Comments received by August 1st will become part of the official meeting record.

Since the first round of public meetings in summer 2013, IDOT and CDOT have gathered lakefront access and lakefront trail pedestrian and cyclist counts, transit ridership and bus route performance data, traffic counts, vehicular crash and speed data, environmental data, and important information from stakeholders to define the transportation needs in the study area.

Additionally, several task forces were created focusing on specific issues including transportation, park users and environment, and businesses and institutions. Three residential task forces were also created based on geographic locations along the corridor.

To date, three meetings have occurred with the Task Force members. IDOT and CDOT are seeking further stakeholder feedback on the project’s draft Purpose and Need Statement and project alternatives, and will consider this input as the planning process moves forward.

Visit www.northlakeshoredrive.org for more information about the project.