Hey, I just thought of some great ideas for Chicago.

How about we demolish the connection between the expressway and Ohio/Ontario St. Then, lets cover the expressway near the loop with parkland (already planned, I know)

But here's the clincher: tolls

Charge tolls for motorists who wish to get into downtown Chicago (from Roosevelt to North Avenue) via expressway exits. Also charge tolls to get from the expressways to Lakeshore drive. Then, downtown Chicago will have that mystic, expensive quality that Manhattan has whenever you try to go there by car. Use that toll money to pay for transit.

Another good idea, demolish Dearborn Park I and II. They are ugly and they suck.

Final idea: Demolish Roosevelt Ave between State and Clark St. Then, lower it so that it is level with the rest of downtown, instead of the elevated bridge that it is. I don't even know why Roosevelt needs to be elevated. Makes no sense.

Final idea: Demolish Roosevelt Ave between State and Clark St. Then, lower it so that it is level with the rest of downtown, instead of the elevated bridge that it is. I don't even know why Roosevelt needs to be elevated. Makes no sense.

it goes over Metra/Amtrak tracks leading into LaSalle St Station and Union Station.

it goes over Metra/Amtrak tracks leading into LaSalle St Station and Union Station.

True, but it doesn't go over the tracks until you are on the west side of Clark.

ahh, touche!

I think the Roosevelt bridge looks cool personally...


In a slightly unrelated note, they are building some sort of Clark St. extention south of Roosevelt...I am really not sure the purpose of this extention or how far it goes, but I thought I'd note that

I know it won't stay this way (with further development), but one of the best views of downtown Chicago is the backdoor view from Roosevelt Road.

As for the Ohio feeder ramp, I'd love to see more artwork than what is there right now. Short of Congress Street and the n and s LSD, this is the other great entry point to downtown Chicago....and the major one for those coming in from O'Hare.

The circular sculpture there now was once in front of Fields' during the mall era on State. Wouldn't it be great to see more than just that at this major entry point?

BTW, UP, on another thread, you referred to the Wacker bridge. What were you wer referring to since Wacker does not cross the river/

^yeah, but I'd just as soon demolish the connection altogether (Ohio ramp and River North). If not, then sure, put some statues/artwork.

But most importantly, I think there should be toll booths collecting 25 cents for every car that enters downtown or Lakeshore drive via expressway ramps from North Avenue to Roosevelt St. It would be easy, quick to install, and generate a lot of money for the city while encouraging transit, yet not completely discouraging drivers either (25 cents ain't too bad). Why not?

BTW, Edsg, I never said anything about a Wacker Bridge--correct me if I'm wrong

The toll idea is interesting, UP. It makes me think of London, rather than New York, because they actually starting doing that in London a few years back to reduce the car traffic in the center city.

But from what I understand, London had a much more pressing gridlock situation than we do. Here, it might be politically easier just to raise the tax at parking garages and the cost of parking meters and divert that extra money to transit. That would also eliminate taxing drivers who probably shouldn't be impacted by such a tax, including delivery trucks and cabs.

A parking garage tax increase would also be borne by people who aren't going to miss the money: anyone who regularly drives to the Loop is already shelling out $200+ per month for the privilege. Spikes in gas prices rarely motivate such people to change their habits, so a tax hike probably won't either.

Arguably, downtown residents shouldn't have to pay a toll to return to their homes after driving to Costco or IKEA while other city residents don't, but I could still live with the idea of discouraging downtowners from driving too.

Harrison is a block south of Congress and VanBuren a block north...couldn't both be used to avoid a toll?

besides, tolls are there to pay for the structures (bridges, tunnels, toll ways), not as a revenue maker.

The idea of a toll to get into the Loop is an interesting one. I would be concerned about the very real possiblity that it would in the long run drive business out of the city center. There is a very fine balance between encouraging transit use and discouraging people from coming into the city altogether.

BTW, UP, on another thread, you referred to the Wacker bridge. What were you wer referring to since Wacker does not cross the river/

TUP meant the Wabash Bridge... Wabash, Wacker, they both begin with a W and have six letters.... :wink2:

I think the Roosevelt bridge looks cool personally...

In a slightly unrelated note, they are building some sort of Clark St. extention south of Roosevelt...I am really not sure the purpose of this extention or how far it goes, but I thought I'd note that

I like the Roosevelt bridge too. The veiw from there looking north and especially south is great. I'm going to be sorrry when that wild patch of land south of Roosevelt gets "developed".

The Clark Street extention thing will actually be a underpass, so that Clark will have some lanes going under Roosevelt thus clearing up traffic congestion (in theory.)

Perhaps Lower Wacker needs a toll since it is such a good short cut. Say an average of 15,000 cars use lower wacker daily and charge $.50. That's over $27 million per year. Then maybe they can repave lower randolph from LSD to MIchigan.

Perhaps Lower Wacker needs a toll since it is such a good short cut.

OK, but they have to offer The Blues Brothers as pay for view when you're driving through it.