Martin’s ordinance to require walk/bike/transit upgrades in projects gets vote Friday

by John Greenfield / Streetsblog Chicago / March 2, 2023

The 47th Ward – which includes parts of North Center, Lincoln Square and Ravenswood – saw more than it’s fair share of high-profile traffic violence in 2022, including the tragic deaths last summer of toddler Rafi Cardenas, 2, and ward volunteer Peter Paquette, 75. Local alderperson Matt Mart responded in part by bringing the Chicago and Illinois transportation departments to the negotiating table, resulting in an agreement that gives the city more freedom to make pedestrian safety improvements at the intersections of city- and state-jurisdiction roads, announced in January.

Martin’s current campaign for safer streets includes the Complete Streets ordinance he introduced last July, with the goal of ensuring that every time the Chicago Department of Transportation repaves a street, or does a streetscape project, rather than simply restriping it the same car-oriented manner as before, the project prioritizes safe and efficient sustainable transportation.

At this Friday’s meeting of the City Council’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, 11 a.m. at City Hall. the ordinance will likely be presented for a preliminary vote. If the measure passes, the full Council will probably take a final vote at its next meeting on Wednesday, March 15. Read more HERE