AVONDALE — Traffic congestion has reached alarming levels across Chicago’s Northwest Side this year, according to frustrated local residents.
The ongoing rehabilitation project on the Kennedy Expressway has resulted in significant delays as construction continues, particularly on outbound lanes between Downtown and the Edens Expressway.
While the Kennedy construction has been a source of frustration for drivers all year, residents in nearby neighborhoods are now facing severe traffic disruptions that are affecting their daily lives.
Since construction resumed in March, many neighborhoods including Bucktown and Old Irving Park have reported extended traffic jams along major streets and residential roads.
Drivers have experienced frustratingly long delays, with some residents claiming it can take them 15-20 minutes to travel just two blocks during peak hours.
Concerns have been raised by drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike about the safety of these congested areas, compounding the inconvenience of the traffic increases.
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) officials, who are supervising the project, stated that they are working alongside the Chicago Department of Transportation to address these issues, claiming commitments to improve traffic flow by adjusting signal timings and installing additional signage.
One measure being introduced is the placement of “No Thru Traffic” signs in selected residential areas to deter truck drivers from utilizing specific exit ramps, particularly the Keeler Avenue/Irving Park Road exit.
Despite these efforts, local residents continue to express concerns over the daily traffic situation, questioning whether any effective solutions can be devised before construction is completed.
Gregg Juhlin, an Avondale resident, expressed his frustrations by stating, “This is an absolute nightmare,” commenting on the severe backups experienced especially during rush hours.
The current phase of the extensive Kennedy renovation entails significant upgrades to bridge structures and paving, as well as performing necessary repairs and improvements.
Scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving, the project began affecting outbound lanes in March, exacerbating traffic conditions already strained from previous construction phases.
Local traffic traveling in the northbound direction has been funneled into just two lanes in some areas, causing many drivers to divert to surface streets or quieter residential roads, leading to unexpected congestion.
Dennis Puhr, who lives on St. Louis Avenue, shared that his street has transformed into a bottleneck for drivers searching for alternative routes to the expressway. Since spring, traffic conditions on his block have steadily worsened.
He noted that rush-hour congestion typically starts at 6:30 a.m. and doesn’t let up until the evening.
With a daycare and restaurant in the area, local residents are witnessing a surge in traffic to the extent where vehicles are often backed up for blocks, making ordinary trips a frustrating ordeal.
Conditions are so dire that delivery drivers are compelled to navigate against traffic rules just to stay on schedule, and emergency vehicles struggle to access those in need.
Local resident Nick Fochtman recalled a harrowing incident this year where a pedestrian was struck in a crosswalk among the chaotic street scene.
In an attempt to search for resolutions, a group of neighbors and Alderman Anthony Quezada (35th) gathered for a community meeting focused on solving the congestion issues.
Residents proposed several strategies such as repainting street markings to facilitate better traffic flow, implementing more thorough traffic light timings, and instituting speed bumps to slow down vehicles.
However, many of these proposed changes require careful study by CDOT, which could take several months to evaluate.
Quezada acknowledged the challenges faced by those living in the affected neighborhoods, explaining that adjustments can often lead to further complications in traffic patterns.
He mentioned a new crosshatch marking planned for the St. Louis and Addison intersection aimed at preventing cars from blocking the intersection altogether.
In a recent development, repairs on the Addison bridge were completed ahead of schedule, which received praise from neighbors tired of ongoing construction.
While IDOT has begun installing ‘no-through traffic’ signs, residents expressed doubt about the effectiveness of these measures.
Many community members are resigned to enduring the construction fallout until full completion of the Kennedy improvements, even as they wish for immediate solutions.
Eric Blomberg, residing on Spaulding Avenue, shared a similar narrative describing how previous phases of the construction had little impact on his area, only for traffic to suddenly spike with the new construction phase this March.
Blomberg noted that as outside drivers sought shortcuts, they increasingly used neighborhood streets as thoroughfares, creating safety concerns due to backing up and pollution from idling vehicles.
On several occasions, Blomberg faced difficulties simply exiting his parking space as cars clogged the street, forcing him to stop traffic outside his home.
Though traffic has somewhat stabilized recently, he remains skeptical about the sustainability of this trend.
Nearby on Wellington Street, resident Gregg Juhlin noted that traffic had escalated to levels not seen in previous years, prompting him to change his commuting habits in hopes of avoiding rush hour gridlock.
Juhlin pointed out the danger posed by the influx of cars, especially with the mixing of frustrated drivers and cyclists during peak times.
Max Crowe, who works partially from home, reflected on the challenges of using public transport when bus routes are equally impacted by the surge of vehicle traffic.
Locals, including Samantha Boghos, reported that once quiet streets are now filled with noise and speeding cars, which diminish the quality of life in the area.
Despite these challenges, some community members like Colin Hayes expressed that ramp closures have positively contributed to safer conditions in some instances.
General consensus among various residents is a longing for a return to normalcy, while they await the completion of ongoing construction projects that are expected to improve the roads.
The result of the construction work on the Kennedy Expressway is a stark reminder of the necessary inconveniences required for vital infrastructure projects to proceed.
IDOT officials remain committed to mitigating the traffic disruptions, stating they are continuously assessing the traffic patterns and collaborating with city leaders to alleviate the burden on residents.
As this construction work continues to affect Chicago’s neighborhoods, the sense of community adaptability prevails, as residents collectively strive to cope with the challenging circumstances for the transient future.
image source from：blockclubchicago
