Commuters in Chicago could see their bus rides becoming faster and more efficient, as the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) just gave the green light to a study to enhance bus travel across the city. Announced yesterday, the "Better Streets for Buses" initiative will closely analyze five major corridors - Pulaski Road, Western Avenue, Cottage Grove Avenue, Fullerton Avenue, and 55th Street, which service nearly 74,000 riders daily on an average weekday, according to an announcement by CTA.
Mayor Brandon Johnson stressed the city's dedication to improving the streetscape for the public transport community, expressing enthusiasm about the potential of these upgrades to enhance one of the city's most valuable resources to the benefit of every transit rider and even those considering a move towards public commuting. A Bus Priority Corridor Study, backed by an Invest in Cook grant, will be the first step towards realizing these changes by evaluating 19 different street treatment options aiming to elevate the bus rider's experience; meanwhile, input from citizens will be encouraged to shape the final designs, ensuring community preferences and priorities are considered in the process.
The CTA President, Dorval R. Carter Jr., detailed his organization's comprehensive ambition to refine bus services, aiming to create a bus network that's frequent, reliable, fast, accessible, and present where and when the populace needs it, and he expressed gratitude for the county's support and CDOT's partnership, which permits the pursuit of these critical improvements. CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney celebrated the announcement by highlighting the importance of the corridors for connecting residents with workplaces and community spaces, and the value of close cooperation with CTA to push forward these important enhancements.
The study will not only look at various concepts but also present the benefits and tradeoffs of each design, which includes at least one concept featuring an uninterrupted dedicated bus lane for significant stretches of each corridor, the final designs will draw from public feedback and aim to create bus priority streetscapes plans ready for detailed development and construction, echoing the collective vision of the two departments for a more efficient and appealing bus service.
