Chaos transformed into calm! A notorious Portage Park street, once a nightmare for pedestrians, is now a model of safety. New upgrades are making a real difference for kids and families. What infrastructure changes would make your neighborhood safer?
Portage Park has witnessed a remarkable transformation as new pedestrian safety measures have instantaneously converted a once-perilous stretch of roadway into a beacon of community security. What was previously a chaotic and unsafe environment for residents, especially schoolchildren, has now become a testament to effective urban planning and responsive local government, fostering a renewed sense of peace and order for daily commuters.
The comprehensive safety upgrades, spearheaded by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), include a series of meticulously planned installations along Long Avenue, adjacent to Portage Park Elementary School. Key features comprise new raised crosswalks that elevate pedestrians to driver eye-level, strategically placed speed bumps designed to enforce lower vehicle speeds, and expanded curb extensions that shorten crossing distances, significantly enhancing Portage Park safety for all.
Local residents and parents, like Patrick Corcoran from Portage Park Elementary, have expressed overwhelming relief and satisfaction, describing the impact as an “instant” success. The daily scene outside the school, which previously saw drivers often disregard pedestrian right-of-way, now features a harmonious flow where vehicles yield to a steady stream of walkers and cyclists, illustrating the immediate positive behavioral shift due to these pedestrian upgrades.
CDOT’s substantial investment of approximately $600,000 underpinned these vital Chicago traffic calming efforts, reflecting a deep commitment to urban infrastructure improvement. David Smith, assistant commissioner of project development for CDOT, underscored the forward-thinking vision behind these CDOT initiatives, emphasizing that these developments are fundamentally “building the city for you to take over,” directly addressing the young beneficiaries.
Long Avenue’s notoriety stemmed from its function as a dangerous cut-through route, allowing drivers to bypass traffic on busier arterial roads like Central and Laramie Avenues. This vehicular shortcut, combined with the significant pedestrian traffic generated by Portage Park Elementary and the adjacent 38-acre Portage Park, created hazardous conditions that, tragically, led to several serious accidents involving young pedestrians and cyclists in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for community safety interventions.
Sid Shah, a consultant collaborating with CDOT on pedestrian safety projects, explained the engineering principles behind the improvements. He noted that the curb extensions and raised crosswalks are designed not only to make pedestrians and cyclists more visible to drivers but also to physically narrow intersections and slow traffic, thereby reducing the time individuals spend exposed in the roadway and mitigating the risk of collisions.
Beyond the structural changes, the project also introduced a neighborhood greenway with dedicated bike lanes Chicago on Long Avenue, alongside 14 additional speed bumps and plastic posts near five crosswalks. Observed data already indicates a 50 percent increase in cyclists utilizing Long Avenue and an impressive 97 percent adherence to the new 20 mph speed limit, showcasing the tangible positive outcomes of these transformative efforts.
The positive reception extends beyond traffic data, with Alderman Ruth Cruz’s office receiving numerous appreciative emails from Long Avenue residents. One local, who crosses the street multiple times daily, estimates a significant 50 percent reduction in car traffic since the safety enhancements were implemented, further validating the success of these comprehensive Portage Park safety and traffic calming initiatives.
