2/7/06
Chicago Transit Authority will begin construction Wednesday, February 8 to rehabilitate the Navy Pier bus turnaround facility located north of East Grand Avenue. The project is designed to improve the flow of bus traffic in and out of Navy Pier, Chicago's number one tourist attraction.
CTA buses will continue to use the current bus turnaround located at Grand Avenue, and customers will board buses in the same location during construction.
When the project is completed, the flow of traffic through the turnaround will be reversed so that buses will enter the bus turnaround from the west end of the facility 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.
Changing the flow of traffic through the bus turnaround will allow buses to operate more efficiently in and out of Navy Pier and make the facility more customer friendly. When complete, buses waiting at the terminal will be positioned facing customers as they approach the boarding area, making it easier for them to identify their routes.
In addition to reversing the flow of traffic through the turnaround, the project also includes new bus shelters, canopies, lighting and benches and a new unloading area on the north side of the turnaround.
CTA provides bus service to Navy Pier via 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. serves as the construction contractor. The contract is valued at $541,290, with funding provided by the Regional Transportation Authority. The project was competitively bid.
Construction is expected to be completed by spring 2006.
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