Semi-Trailer Truck Trapped AGAIN Under Lake St., Mayor Doesn't Care

By Fulton Market Association

Jan 19, 2022

Press Release from Westside Infrastructure Coalition • www.fixthewestside.com

From: Roger Romanelli, Westside Infrastructure Coalition Coordinator & Fulton Market Association Executive Director

1) Now, there is a 50-foot semi-trailer truck jammed and getting ripped apart at 4200 W. Lake St. in Chicago. The police are on the scene, and all east-west traffic on Lake St. is blocked off. Apparently, Mayor Lightfoot could care less.

At least 10 times last year and during an August 31 conference call with her team, our Coalition presented the very dangerous street conditions under the CTA Green Line on Lake St. from 2600 W. to 5200 W. It's the most dangerous street in Chicago: https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/why-do-trucks-keep-getting-stuck-on-the-same-stretch-of-the-l/2600550/.

Seen at www.fixthewestside.com, vehicles and trucks have serious, life-threatening accidents frequently. There's no other street like this in Chicago. These conditions wouldn't be tolerated downtown or in the Mayor's neighborhood. The Westside - - where poverty and crime are also rampant - - is being neglected by Lightfoot.

2) Our Coalition asked Lightfoot repeatedly to support $2 billion federal funds to FINALLY FIX Lake St. since 1896 by relocating the center-lane columns to the sidewalks. No response to date, even though the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill is her opportunity to fix Lake St.

East of Talman Ave., City Hall already moved the columns to the sidewalks, bringing tremendous safety and economic development to the Fulton Market neighborhood and other areas. The Westside needs the EXACT SAME CONSIDERATION for basic, safe infrastructure. Over a century of government discrimination and neglect of the Westside must end.

3) Our Coalition wants Lightfoot to install 11 new "Vertical Clearance Warning Signs" on the north-south arterial streets crossing Lake St. from Cicero Ave. to Western Ave. Such signs are standard for underpasses to avoid trucks getting caught/ripped apart. Proper signs are on Sacramento Blvd., Hamlin Ave. and Pulaski Rd., but the other arterials don't have proper signs.

On Aug. 31, our Coalition had a call with the Mayor's team and requested these basic signs. The Mayor's team installed signs on Pulaski, Central Park and Sacramento, but ignored the other arterials. This is outrageous. The Coalition wants new vertical clearance warning signs at these approximate locations with specific measurements to protect trucks and protect the community:

151 N. Western Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

220 N. Western Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

151 N. California Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

220 N. California Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

(Sacramento Blvd. has signs already.)

171 N. Kedzie Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

230 N. Kedzie Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

250 N. Homan Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake (A sign exists for northbound Homan.)

251 N. Central Park Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake (A sign exists for southbound Central Park.)

(Hamlin Ave. and Pulaski Rd. have signs already.)

301 N. Kilbourn Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

330 N. Kilbourn Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

321 N. Cicero Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

360 N. Cicero Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

4) Also on Aug. 31, the Coalition requested new "Advanced Truck Turn Warning Height/Width Clearance Signs" to prevent over-sized trucks from turning onto Lake St. and getting stuck/ripped apart. Tthe Mayor's team said they needed to "create new signs." Now, five months later, no action.

Attached is evidence of "advanced warning signs" posted elsewhere at 2200 N. Cicero Ave., Lower Wacker Drive and another location. So, our Coalition wants new "advanced warning signs" at these approximate addresses with height and width measurements to deter over-sized trucks from making turns under the Lake St. Structure to avoid getting caught and ripped apart:

151 N. Western Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

220 N. Western Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

151 N. California Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

220 N. California Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

151 N. Sacramento Blvd. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

220 N. Sacramento Blvd. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

171 N. Kedzie Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

230 N. Kedzie Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

191 N. Homan Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

250 N. Homan Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake

251 N. Central Park Ave. for Northbound Traffic, 1 Block South of Lake

300 N. Central Park Ave. for Southbound Traffic, 1 Block North of Lake