CHICAGO | The 78 Site

[Flaccer05]

June 28

[BonoboZill4]

Soon...

[SolarWind]

June 25, 2019

[Chi-Sky21]

is that a sign on that bridge? Never noticed that before

[Mr Downtown]

^on which bridge?

[the urban politician]

Question about the Wells-Wentworth connector:

Other than the part that tunnels under Roosevelt Rd, why does it take so long to build a road? We are talking about a simple road here, right? Or is there a lot of buried utility work that's going along with it? Sorry if somebody already answered this before.

[Chi-Sky21]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

^on which bridge?

Bonbons last shot with the bridge down. Looks like a white sign that says Uter.

[rgarri4]

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

Bonbons last shot with the bridge down. Looks like a white sign that says Uter.

It's from a graffiti artist I may or may not know.

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Question about the Wells-Wentworth connector:

why does it take so long to build a road?

Um, work on this phase only started in late April. The real world isn't like SimCity. The first thing they have to do is to put in some storm sewers, and that's proceeding.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

Um, work on this phase only started in late April. The real world isn't like SimCity. The first thing they have to do is to put in some storm sewers, and that's proceeding.

Thanks for the smart ass response.

And I don't play SimCity

Anyhow, yes work started in April but this is a 3 phase project that is supposed to take quite some time, I believe? Just wanted to know

[Baronvonellis]

The first 2 phases are already done. They went through Chinatown. This is the last phase.

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Thanks for the smart ass response.

I guess I don't understand your "why does it taaaaake so long" whiny question, then. Nearly all construction projects in the US finish after they start.

Phase 1 put in curbs/gutters/new pavement from 16th to Cullerton and a signal at 18th. Phase 2, realignment next to the branch library to eliminate the offset at Cermak, is well under way. Phase 3, the new road through Related Midwest's property, had to be rebid I think, and work just began the last week of April.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

I guess I don't understand your "why does it taaaaake so long" whiny question, then. Nearly all construction projects in the US finish after they start.

I recommend trying one of these

[Mr Downtown]

^Not covered by my insurance.

[ardecila]

I think the bigger question is, why did the project need to be broken into three phases split up over multiple years, and why did it take so many years before CDOT even started the first phase?

The answer to the first question is probably that phases 1 and 2 could be sold as a boon to an existing community in Chinatown, and not a developer giveaway.

And I suppose the answer to the second question is, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Rezko and Auchi weren't lobbying the mayor to get this road built through their site. Related was. And even after Related started pushing for the road to start, CDOT had to find money for it in a very tight budget and complete the Chinatown sections first.

[KWillChicago]

Connection completion in time for the holidays?

[bnk]

Originally Posted by KWillChicago

Connection completion in time for the holidays?

That's a pretty vague term holidays.. BTW is it pronounced Holi days or Holly days?

[KWillChicago]

Originally Posted by bnk

That's a pretty vague term holidays.. BTW is it pronounced Holi days or Holly days?

Lol. I guess I was leaning torwards christmas.

[rgarri4]

From my 3D model:

[gebs]

Man, imagine a parallel reality (or a distant future) where Riverline, Southbank, the 78, Burnham Lakefront, AND One Central are ALL fully built. What a complete transformation that would be. It's like creating three new medium-sized cities.