Chicago & Midwest + South Side + Industrial | July 7, 2022

The streetscape improvements to Motor Row on Chicago's Near South Side represent the first of several such projects the city is planning

City Cuts Ribbon on Motor Row Streetscape Project

City officials cut the ribbon on the recently completed streetscape project along Michigan Avenue between Cermak and 24th Place. The Motor Row streetscape on Chicago’s Near South Side implements a “road diet” that reduces the previous four travel lanes to three, reducing crossing distances for pedestrians.

Other improvements include widened sidewalks, new crosswalks, new landscaping and LED smart lighting. The enhancements encourage drivers to slow down and make it easier for pedestrians to cross safely, according to the Lightfoot administration.

“The Motor Row streetscape project not only reflects this neighborhood’s rich history, but it also includes several components that improve traffic safety and create a better environment for people walking,” said Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi.

She added that similar projects are planned citywide as part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Chicago Works capital investment plan. “This is just the start of unprecedented investment in communities all over Chicago,” Biagi said.

Connect

Inside The Story

Chicago Dept. of Transportation

About Paul Bubny

Paul Bubny serves as Senior Content Director for Connect Commercial Real Estate, a role to which he brings 13-plus years’ experience covering the commercial real estate industry and 30-plus years in business-to-business journalism. In this capacity, he oversees daily operations while also reporting on both local/regional markets and national trends, covering individual transactions across all property types, as well as delving into broader subject matter. He produces 15-20 daily news stories per day and works with the Connect team and clients to develop longer-form content, ranging from Q&As to thought-leadership pieces. Prior to joining Connect, Paul was Managing Editor for both Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com at American Lawyer Media, where he oversaw operations at both publications while also producing daily news and feature-length articles. His tenure in B2B publishing stretches back into the print era, and he has served as Editor in Chief on four national trade publications. Since 1999, Paul has volunteered as the newsletter editor of passenger rail advocacy groups (one national, one local).

Order Reprints