PB 1st Ward 2022

This project would entail the construction of a series of bumpouts at several key intersections across the 1st Ward in order to enhance resident safety.

Locations Could Include:

1800 N Western Ave.;

1300 block of N. Oakley Blvd.;

Wood St. and Julian St.;

Wood St. and Pierce St.;

Paulina St. and Le Moyne St.;

Paulina St. and Pierce St.;

California Ave. and Cortland St.

This project would address resident complaints regarding the speed of vehicle traffic along various residential and commercial streets in the 1st Ward through the installation of a series of concrete bumpouts on several intersections. Concrete bumpouts both give pedestrians more space to avoid oncoming traffic, and slow down vehicle speeds by narrowing lanes at intersections (this effect is known as "traffic calming"). This project would provide traffic calming measures in four priority areas. The first would consist of two concrete bumpouts extending out into Western Ave. at the intersection with Bloomingdale Ave., eliminating some parking and increasing visibility for those entering the major traffic corridor. The second priority area would be the 1300 block of N. Oakley Blvd., where bumpouts would be installed at both entrances to the alley connecting W Hirsch St. and N Oakley Blvd. The third area would be a collection of intersections along Wood St. and Paulina St. (specifically at the intersections of Wood/Julian, Wood/Pierce, Paulina/Le Moyne, and Paulina/Pierce). The final traffic calming measure would be taken at the intersection of California Ave. and Cortland St., where concrete bumpouts would be installed at all four corners of the intersection to reduce speeds and improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

This project could require the removal of on-street parking where concrete bumpouts would be installed. In the 2023 "Aldermanic Menu", residential street bumpouts cost $15,000 per pair, and arterial street bumpouts cost $50,000 per corner.