Infrastructure enhancements are set to take place on Glenwood Avenue, a two-way street in Rogers Park, as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety for both drivers and cyclists.
This stretch of Glenwood, situated between Devon and Pratt avenues, has long been utilized by motorists seeking alternative routes to avoid busier thoroughfares like Sheridan Road and Clark Street while also serving as part of a neighborhood greenway for cyclists.
Residents have voiced safety concerns about the street, prompting Ald. Maria Hadden of the 49th Ward to hold discussions aimed at determining the best course of action.
Though the suggestion of converting Glenwood Avenue to one-way traffic has been debated over the years, Ald. Hadden ultimately decided to retain its two-way designation following community feedback.
As a response to the ongoing issues surrounding the narrow roadway, which is just 30 feet wide, the city will implement several safety measures such as speed bumps and curb extensions.
Currently, Glenwood Avenue experiences a higher-than-expected rate of vehicular accidents, attributed to its cramped conditions where two lanes of traffic and parking coexist.
Citing data from 2019 to 2021, the Chicago Department of Transportation highlighted the prevalence of sideswipe accidents and incidents involving parked cars being struck as primary concerns for the community.
While multiple residents agree on the necessity for action to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety, opinions remain divided on whether a two-way street with added features or a one-way designation would be more effective.
“There wasn’t a clear community consensus, so I just needed to make a call, and it’s one that we can build upon,” Hadden said in an interview with Block Club.
She indicated that future adjustments could still be made if necessary, stating, “We can do two-way improvements and then go to a one-way street if it’s necessary.”
Planning for Glenwood Avenue now includes a complete repaving of the street, the installation of curb extensions at the intersections of Glenwood with both Arthur and North Shore avenues, and the addition of four new speed bumps situated between various intersections.
In conjunction with the modifications to Glenwood Avenue, Newgard Avenue—located a block to the west—will receive its own set of traffic enhancements, following community concerns of potential overflow traffic from Glenwood should its structure change.
Changes to Newgard Avenue will consist of two new traffic circles at intersections with North Shore and Albion avenues, along with curb extensions and speed bumps to further control vehicle flow.
The added curb extensions will create safer crossing spaces for pedestrians by allowing sidewalks to extend into the crosswalk areas, thereby reducing the distance they must navigate without protection.
Ald. Hadden expressed hope that the newly proposed measures would be implemented by the end of this year, providing much-needed upgrades to both Glenwood and Newgard avenues.
These adjustments aim not only to improve traffic conditions but also to foster a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists within the community.
image source from：https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/11/rogers-parks-glenwood-avenue-wont-become-one-way-but-other-improvements-coming/
