Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will initiate a multi-phase project on August 7 to rehabilitate four viaducts along Canal Street, which serve as a significant corridor into the city's Central Business District and cover parts of Chicago Union Station. The first phase focuses on the section from Jackson Boulevard to Adams Street.

"Beginning on Monday, August 7th, after the evening rush hours," CDOT announced that construction would commence. "The full width of Canal Street, including the roadway and sidewalks, will be fully reconstructed." To complete this work, Canal Street will be closed from Jackson to Adams for approximately 18 months. Construction activities will occur day and night while maintaining access to Chicago Union Station.

Pedestrian access plans include unaffected entrances near the Chicago River and a new ADA-accessible entrance from Clinton Street opening before the closure. Walkways on both sides of Canal Street will facilitate pedestrian movement between key locations like Union Station and 222 S. Riverside Plaza.

Traffic impacts include a full road closure of Canal Street from Jackson Boulevard's north curb to Adams Street's south curb. Traffic will be detoured, and transit stops temporarily relocated. However, vehicular traffic will continue on Jackson Boulevard and Adams Street.

This effort is part of CDOT’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvements around Union Station. "The upcoming Canal Street improvements," along with ongoing work on Harrison Street viaducts, aim to modernize nearly one mile of streets atop structures dating back to the station's opening in the 1920s.

For further details about the project, including maps and traffic impact information, individuals are encouraged to visit cdotcanalprojects.com.