5/13/05
Renovations Designed to Decrease Congestion, Improve Traffic Flow
In a move designed to decrease congestion and improve the flow of bus traffic in and out of Navy Pier, the Chicago Transit Board today approved a contract to rehabilitate the CTA bus turnaround facility located at Navy Pier north of E. Grand Avenue.
The project will reverse the flow of traffic through the turnaround so that buses will enter the bus turnaround from the west end of the turnaround and exit on the east end of the turnaround onto Grand Avenue. Currently buses enter the turnaround from the east end of the turnaround and exit onto Grand Avenue at the west end.
?The CTA has been improving and restoring bus turnarounds throughout its service area," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown. ?More and more people are riding the CTA, and we need to invest in our system so that it meets increased demand and continues to provide commuters with a viable, affordable option to driving."
?Changing the flow of traffic through the bus turnaround will allow buses to operate more efficiently in and out of Navy Pier and make it easier for customers to identify their route. When complete, buses will be positioned facing customers as they approach the boarding area," added CTA President Frank Kruesi. ?It is important to continue to invest capital funds in CTA's infrastructure to improve operational efficiencies so that we don?t lose the momentum we have gained over the past decade."
The project includes the rehabilitation of the boarding area ? complete with bus shelters, canopies, lighting and benches. The west end entry area will be widened and a new unloading area will be constructed on the north side of the turnaround.
Navy Pier, Chicago's number one tourist destination with nearly nine million visitors last year, is served by the #2 Hyde Park Express, #29 State, #65 Grand, #66 Chicago, #120 North Western/Wacker Express, #121 Union/Wacker Express and #124 Navy Pier bus routes.
Chicago-based Oakley Construction Company, Inc. will serve as the construction contractor on the capital improvement project. The contract is valued at $541,290, with funding provided by the Regional Transportation Authority. The project was competitively bid.
Construction will begin sometime after the summer tourist season ends on Labor Day and be completed by the spring of 2006. CTA buses will continue to use the current bus turnaround during construction.
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