Alderman Reilly is very pleased to report the upcoming installation of a Contraflow Lane on North Orleans Street, which will reconfigure two blocks into a two-way thoroughfare, and will act as an important pressure valve, improving traffic circulation near Wolf Point and the Merchandise Mart.
The Orleans Street Contraflow Lane will be installed between West Hubbard Street and Wolf Point Plaza Drive / West Merchandise Mart Drive, with work starting Tuesday evening, September 22. The new two-way configuration will be effective Thursday, September 24, at 10:30 a.m.
The installation of the Contraflow Lane requires the following infrastructure changes, all of which will be funded by the developer:
- Traffic signal modifications at the intersection of North Orleans Street and West Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive to accommodate southbound traffic on North Orleans Street, between West Hubbard Street and West Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive
- Curb extension at the southeast corner of Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive and North Orleans Street to improve traffic lane alignment and pedestrian safety
- Restriping of traffic lanes to create a southbound traffic lane on North Orleans Street, between West Hubbard Street and West Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive
- Removal of the taxicab stand on the west side of North Orleans Street at Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive
- Removal of the mid-block east/west crosswalk on North Orleans Street 150’ north of West Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive
- Elimination of northbound parking on the west side North Orleans Street, between West Hubbard Street and West Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive
- Installation of a southbound 15 Minute Standing Zone on the west side of North Orleans Street, between West Hubbard Street and West Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive
There will be signage indicating the change in traffic patterns placed on North Orleans Street at the intersections of West Hubbard Street and West Wolf Point Plaza / West Merchandise Mart Drive for two weeks after the change.
Please note, North Orleans Street over the Chicago River will remain one-way northbound. Motorists will not be able to access West Wacker Drive from North Orleans Street.
In addition to the above traffic improvements, the Alderman negotiated dozens of public benefit items to be funded by the developer, including 17 improvements, which were all completed in 2017 and were funded by the developer:
- Addition of the new traffic signal, with pedestrian countdown signal heads, at the intersection of Kingsbury and Kinzie Streets
- Addition of a left turn arrow for northbound Orleans Street traffic turning west onto Hubbard Street
- Addition of a left-turn arrow for westbound Kinzie Street traffic turning south onto Wells Street
- Addition of a right-turn arrow for southbound Wells Street traffic turning west onto Merchandise Mart Drive
- Addition of a left-turn arrow for eastbound Wolf Point Plaza Drive traffic turning north onto Orleans Street
- Addition of a left-turn arrow for northbound Orleans Street turning west onto Wolf Point Plaza Drive
- Installation of new pedestrian countdown signal heads at the intersection of Wacker Drive and Lake Street
- Installation of new pedestrian countdown signal heads at the intersection of Wacker Drive and Wells Street
- Installation of new pedestrian countdown signal heads at the intersection of Hubbard and Wells Streets
- Installation of new pedestrian countdown signal heads at the intersection of Wacker Drive and Orleans Street
- Installation of new pedestrian countdown signal heads at the intersection of Orleans Street and Wolf Point Plaza Drive
- Installation of new pedestrian countdown signal heads at the intersection of Lake Street, Canal Street and Milwaukee Avenue
- Actuation of the signal which controls the traffic coming off of the Merchandise Mart ramp which connects to Kinzie Street, immediately west of the intersection of Kinzie and Wells Streets
- Installation of High-Visibility (International Style) Crosswalks on all legs of the following intersections:
- Wacker Drive and Orleans Street
- Orleans Street and Merchandise Mart Drive
- Wells Street and Merchandise Mart Drive
- Lake Street, Canal Street and Milwaukee Avenue
Stay tuned to Reilly Reports for updates regarding infrastructure improvements in the 42nd Ward!
