US Department of Transportation Gives $153 Million to Chicago to Reduce Traffic Congestion
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 05. 2.08
Your tax dollars at work. On one side, subsidize more roads, sprawl, and related infrastructure, on the other, subsidize various approaches to try to convince people to keep off the roads. The US Department of Transportation (DoT) is transferring $153 million to Chicago to help it reduce traffic via congestion pricing for street parking spaces and the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system.
"The federal funds will be used to support Chicago’s creation of four pilot routes of a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network. The new BRT routes will have their own dedicated lanes and the buses will be equipped with technology to help speed them through traffic with priority right of way at busy signalized intersections. In addition, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will be able to purchase new and cleaner hybrid engine vehicles." Congestion pricing for street parkings means raising the rates during rush hours, mornings and evenings.
How about doing like Portland and aiming for a Platinum Level in "Bicycle Friendliness"? ::DOT to Provide More Than $153M to Chicago to Reduce Traffic Congestion
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The bicycle help is definitely needed. Those tiny lanes on busy, 6-lane roads do nothing to protect you from drivers like those in Chicago.
I do not think a lack of buses downtown is Chicago's problem. We have a strong bicycle constituency here, but the roads are not bike-friendly. I would ride my bike more often, except that I fear being hit by cars. I know several bikers who have been hit by cars here. What would be helpful is a more reliable (and friendly) CTA. Additionally, there is plenty of public transit in the downtown area, it is the lack of access to other parts of the city and a slow/unreliable train system that prevents more people from using it. The people parking downtown are doing so because they can afford it and a small increase in prices will not deter them.
You know I just recently learned how easy it would be for our country to go green.
I am very disgusted with our Government!
We can drive go to work and save the planet all at the same time.But the Oil Co. wont let that happen!!
BIODIESEL AND WATER!!!!!!!!
GO GREEN THANKS!
I'm glad Chicago is doing even more to be more pedestrian-friendly. I recently took a trip there by bus, and I was able to get around town for 3 days using nothing more than the CTA bus and train routes.
It would be nice to see some surface rail or trolley car system implemented here in Chicago. I was looking at old paintings from the suburbs and city, and it seems there was once a thriving trolley system.
The Metra rail is impressive, but there is little bus support for the system in the suburbs. Light rail or trolleys would be useful in providing connections for routes longer than practical on a bus, and shorter than cost-effective for Metra.