Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and 1st Ward Alderman Daniel La Spata have announced the completion of traffic safety improvements on Augusta Boulevard. The project, which spans from Western Avenue to Milwaukee Avenue in the Ukrainian Village and West Town neighborhoods, aims to reduce crashes and enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It includes new protected bike lanes, redesigned intersections for better visibility, shortened pedestrian crossing distances, and a lowered speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

Initial data from CDOT shows a significant impact on driver behavior: a 35 percent decrease in vehicles exceeding 30 mph and a 29 percent increase in those driving below 20 mph. "Investing in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure not only increases safety but also improves quality of life by connecting neighborhoods," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. He expressed gratitude for CDOT's partnership in implementing these improvements.

CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi highlighted the project's benefits: "The new protected bike lanes and pedestrian improvements along Augusta will help curb speeding, reduce crashes, and provide a key low-stress bikeway connection." The enhancements are part of CDOT's broader strategy to improve street design across Chicago.

The new bike lanes offer safe connections to schools such as William H. Wells Community Academy and Christopher Columbus School while linking to Milwaukee Avenue—a popular route among cyclists. These developments align with CDOT’s Chicago Cycling Strategy focused on expanding low-stress biking options citywide.

Alderman Daniel La Spata supports the initiative: "Improving infrastructure is the only way to ensure that we can eliminate traffic deaths."

In addition to Augusta Boulevard improvements, CDOT is undertaking several projects this year aimed at expanding Chicago’s bike network:

- On Milwaukee Avenue between North Avenue and Campbell Avenue, plans include concrete protected bike lanes.

- Belmont Avenue will see similar upgrades with additional pedestrian features like curb extensions.

- Central Park Avenue will have new protected bike lanes connecting key areas in Garfield Park.

- A Neighborhood Bike Network is being developed in South Lawndale with community collaboration.

These efforts reflect ongoing work by CDOT to enhance mobility options throughout Chicago.