The Future of Lake Shore Drive

Chicago's DuSable Lake Shore Drive is undoubtedly an icon. But it's also aging and threatened by increasingly frequent flooding from the lake. A massive project is being proposed right now to redesign and rebuild the northern half of the roadway. But as Chicago considers the future of it's lakefront roadway, it's worth asking - is Lake Shore Drive a public good, or an obstruction?

[@Abrothers12]

More. Lanes. Does. Not. Mean. Less. Traffic! When are city planners ever going to realize this?

[@rollischmidt1]

Induced demand ? Never heard of …

[@mrnasty02106]

Fully agree with you. Look at what IDOT's doing to the Central Tri-State. 8 lanes (early 90s project) was okay. Just 1 lane was needed. They got rid of the Oasis stops (but were smart enough to keep the gas stations). LSD is already 8 lanes (with 2, left turn lanes thru Grant Park). Thank God I don't use either road anymore.

[@romanrat5613]

okay but they aren't planning on adding any lanes...??? Some alternatives also reduce general purpose lanes to 3 (repurposing 1 for buses each way)

[@kailahmann1823]

Because those "planners" are de facto payed by the car industry, they probably even *want* to have more traffic…

[@wyntoniscringe]

Yes, but sometimes lanes are necessary. For example, a highway with lots of traffic on it would not have only 2 lanes, 1 in each direction.

[@bigswings2414]

Midwesterner here. I love Chicago. It's such a underrated city but my god if Chicago wasn't popular no one would use the parks and lakefront. It is a noisy hell hole because of the traffic. And trying to cross that thing just gives me anxiety remembering it. There is no good reason why there is a highway in a city let alone along multiple parks where people live, work and play.

[@ft9kop]

You can thank the car centric developments after WWII for that

[@markanthony1004]

I learned about the traffic the hard way leaving University of Chicago MC and stopping at that lake side park south of downtown. Then I had to drive back to my hotel in Lisle and yeah I thought Austin had bad traffic. The traffic in Chicago is worse than Boston's traffic. I didn't sit that long in LA

[@kateb2643]

Ugh, Canada has this same problem with keeping the shoreline from the public, so that drivers can look at it for 5 mins while speeding past

[@kateb2643]

Oh nooooo. The future is MORE road?

[@copperGlass]

There's plenty of opportunities to exit Lakeshore and enjoy park areas on Lake Michigan.

[@alexspike7331]

They should reduce the lanes, shrink the freeway's footprint. Actually unlock the lakeshore's potential as a giant linear park and transitway !

[@MichaelSalo]

5:42 says it all: “A Common to remain forever open, clear, & free of any buildings, or other Obstructions Whatever.”

[@seanwilliams7655]

I'm all for improving LSD as long as they don't keep trying to extend it into Evanston. One of the best things about living in Rogers Park was that you could just walk straight down any east/west bound street and end up at a beach.

[@rialohaguy]

I lived on Eastlake Terrace way back in the mid 80's. Paid $365 a month for a beautiful studio apartment with heat and a direct view of the lake. That street is blessed with 3 beaches: Juneway Terrace; Rogers Avenue; and Howard Street. Unfortunately, at the time of my last visit to RP in spring 2023, all three beaches were filled in with boulders in an attempt to curb damage from rising lake water erosion. Juneway Beach appeared particularly hard hit by erosion. But yes, RP still had some wonderful beaches to be found and accessible then. I found Loyola Beach very nice, especially with the attempt to re-establish the original flora of the lakefront in the sands close to the shoreline. I too would hope LSD is never extended to the Evanston line. Sheridan Road is enough.

[@seanwilliams7655]

@@rialohaguy I stayed on Jonquil then Morse until about 2014. I didn’t know that was happening with the beaches further north. Hopefully they can find a way to save them.

[@noblehazards9713]

Not that my opinion matters at all as a non Chicago resident but I think roads on water fronts should be banned and demolished. Turn it all into public parks 🤝

[@portcybertryx222]

Oh you are so right. Chicago , Portland and SF all did a great job tearing down waterfront roads. But with Chicago I think they already have developed the lakefront for easy public access so I don’t think the road inland should be demolished

[@NW255]

Or just put it all underground

[@seanwilliams7655]

If it makes you feel any better, a significant amount of land along the Drive is parks and beaches. You just have to cross over or under the Drive to get there. That said, Rogers Park is the best area for beach access because almost all the East-West streets just end at the beach.

[@milliedragon4418]

I don't think roads by a a waterfront are bad but I absolutely take highways shouldn't be there roads are essential but I would say nothing more than a typical Parkway/ Boulevard, it should be more of a Scenic Drive, of course it should also include bicycle lanes and plenty of walkways. Not all roads are inherently bad. But I don't know where they would put a highway elsewhere.

[@mic1240]

It is all beaches and parks, not a road. Is only a tiny part where right next to the lake. It is also a highway (41), not just a city street. Trucks are not allowed. All the land where both road and waterfront was not originally there, landfill after Chicago fire. Is unique in city with OUT buildings or roads on lake

[@MagicalBacon]

The most underrated KZbin channel I’m subbed to. I love the videos man, keep them coming!

[@mcsomeone2681]

I see no reason why lake shore couldn't be a boulevard, they have the speed limit set to 45 and actually expect people to drive that slow on a highway, a boulevard can easily handle speeds of 30-45 mph while actually discouraging people to drive faster than that. Plus it would make everything easier to get to for drivers and pedestrians, how annoying is it to miss your exit and have to loop 3 miles out of the way.

[@timmmahhhh]

The speed limit is actually 40 and of course almost nobody follows it.

[@mrnasty02106]

If there any more examples of this city (at any point in time), as retarded or stupid, LSD is it.

[@bearinmind50]

Lake Shore Drive is a public good. Reducing car lanes and/or substituting bus or BRT just belies the question. Where would the cars go? The idea of traffic lights and at grade pedestrian crossings only create danger points for both cars and pedestrians. When I lived in Chicago we never felt cutoff from the lake. We could get there whenever we felt like it. More bridges might be appropriate but walking was a thing we did.

[@seanwilliams7655]

Ideally, it should be like Rogers Park where the streets just end at the beach. No needing to go over or under a busy highway. That said, there’s no real answer for where the cars would go. I’d assume that, if driving was less convenient, more people would take public transit.

[@prestonradtke222]

I live off of Lakeshore Drive and it would be so cool if this could be turned into an urban Boulevard. But objectively this would screw over so many commuters. not to mention that the CTA doesn’t even run any trains that hug the lakefront and the buses have their own issues…

[@The_ZeroLine]

If they do anything, they should create something like the High Line along the water, but unlike the HL which exploits a defunct elevated rail line, the long park/walkway should incorporate a slender, quiet rail system with low profile rail cars that plugs the gap in transportation along the lakefront and also allows tourists to easily access our museums, beaches, etc.

[@zoradelaney9412]

Reduce the road/highway footprint and have a tram / streetcar line going along the lakefront......

[@jakeywakey4424]

I feel like LSD’s biggest issue (for the public) is the safety. The excessive water on the road, tight curves and fast moving traffic definitely makes it a little daunting to drive, I hope something can be done as far as making the road a little safer.

[@Emancipatriot]

I enjoy your videos buddy! Just keep being you and don’t resort to plagiarism like so many KZbinrs! Seriously man, thanks for the videos. Keep em coming

[@rpvitiello]

Crazy suggestion, but why not demolish the road and not replace it (well other than politics). Most of the traffic is probably people that don’t even live in the city itself, and all it does is make the city a worse place for residents. The people that live there would probably be better off with a park instead of car traffic.

[@The_ZeroLine]

You should keep at it. New KZbinrs always go through a period of extremely slow growth and then suddenly you’ll begin growing by a thousand subscribers per week (assuming you’re uploading content regularly).

[@mcjager5457]

Oops, came to this video thinking it was about Toronto. Hello our sideways, American equivalent.

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

Great video and I like parts of the new design mainly the S curve section.

[@copperGlass]

I haven't read all the comments but, as someone who lives in the north side Andersonville neighborhood, Lakeshore is the quickest way to get into the city. It's a useful roadway for Chicagoans, not just a scenic route next to our fantastic lake.

[@NapiRockAndRoll]

Highways should never built inside any city. Especially when it block the direct pedestrian access to a lake. It should be completely removed, and replaced by a 2+2 lane arterial road and tram tracks. A regional train line is also an option which runs to the end of the suburbs.

[@Jay-nk6dm]

Less lanes for car travel, and open up a bus BRT. expand the shorefront if you have to, but incorporate more pedestrian overpasses and highway caps. There shouldnt be a highway running into downtowns. we have learned our lessons

[@maroon9273]

Well the highway is there. Like you said cap it, foot overpasses, and a bus lane.

[@MightBeAPizza]

@1:23 is so true, especially near Oak Street Beach AND ESPECIALLY if its wet outside.

[@TheWaffle64]

Imagine hating ripping a stogie blasting down LDS at 6:48pm on a beautiful Thursday evening jamming to Panama by Van Halen

[@beback_]

Sounds cheaper to narrow this thing and just run the L trains more frequently.

[@ChrisCoxCycling]

I think you meant the road was an eyesore rather than an icon.

[@wyntoniscringe]

thats your opinion.

[@romanrat5613]

The original planners tried to be as clear as possible with “A Common to remain forever open, clear, & free of any buildings, or OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS WHATEVER.” yet they still managed to screw it up in the 1930s-50s

[@bruceconnor6535]

Or build a tunnel and convert the road surfaces to bike/foot paths. Do it once, do it right.

[@maroon9273]

People and the city will rather take the lazy and easy route. Downgrade to a street road.

[@MatthewBluefox]

Meow everyone! More bus lanes that aren't blocked by parking cars (automatic ticketing / fining system with cameras catching vehicles not supposed to drive or stop on those lanes) would certainly help, it would make bus usage more attractive. Combined with raising gasoline and diesel costs would already reduce individual traffic naturally enough to get rid of that highway or make it work differently (bikes, pedestrians and busses only), and it would generate enough money to afford all these structural changes. What would also make the bus more attractive and generate even less need for highways like the one at the shore line is a different fare system to allow multi-door boarding (4 doors ideally for articulated and 3 doors for rigid busses), using mobile teams to board the bus en route and check bus tickets quickly between stops. This has been working purrfectly in Switzerland and other European countries for decades, and Zürich for example doesn't have a shore line highway of 4 lanes in each direction, nor does it have a freeway tunnel going through town. All Zürich's got is a freeway going around town with 3 lanes in each direction at best, and the population is similar to that of Milwaukee which has a much larger intestate / highway network in and around town. Of course Chicago is about five times bigger than Zürich / Milwaukee, but if the public transit network was as developped and the gas prices as high as in European cities (scaling up in relation), there wouldn't be nearly as big traffic issues as there purrently are. Zürich does have traffic issues, but only during rush hour and on a much smaller scale. I've been to Chicago last week, and the interstates have been packed with traffic all day, no matter which time, and stop-and-go was standard at several spots.

[@babysunn2]

The Best Scenic Route In The WORLD if You Own A Convertible or if Your Vehicle Has A Panoramic Sun Roof... That Proposal Would Be Perfect Trade Off, Wider Lane's and or More Lane's, Yet Much Wider Beaches And Parkland... Seems Like Ah Win Win For This Chicagoan.

[@gintasindreika933]

It is not a highway. It was a boulevard, and should once again be a boulevard. Reduce lanes, and lower speed limits.

[@Aries_The_Ram_]

Chupapi muñeño

[@slumericanfeller7441]

Obstruction

[@freddierhodes3824]

they should tear it down

[@campbellsadeghy213]

They need to keep as it is. Its a beautiful road and serves the community fine.

[@keithlott5146]

I concur. Most of the people who complain never use it.

[@The_ZeroLine]

I love LSD’s narrow lanes. Let’s stop making everything wider for braindead drivers. We also don’t want a massively wide concrete eyesore fronting our beautiful skyline.

[@davidw7]

Still this Drive is still a necessary one given how jam packed especially the rest of the expressways are. Burying it is off the table I read at a much much larger cost and still lake level increases a enemy placing a underground drive right next to a huge lake. Best is to have the car lanes and add bus lanes, bike trails exist or redone in this new redesign. ADDING MORE LAKEFRONT parkland by Oak street beach downtown and to Navy Pier A GREAT CHOICE to me. Unlike other REMOVED coastal drives that were ELEVATED. Lake Shore Drive is by far mostly ground-level so it could have been worse all these decades.

[@marcbuisson2463]

Maybe it would not hurt the city to diminish the amount of traffic going through it and increase the amount of users of its public transit... Getting rid of it is not such a bad solution, especially considering the relatively little number of people it deserves.

[@Descriptor413]

@@marcbuisson2463 It's worth pointing out that it already has to shutdown occasionally, and the world doesn't seem to end when that happens.

[@seanwilliams7655]

@@Descriptor413 the world doesn't end, but it does suck. I live in Hyde Park, work downtown, and need to pick up my kid at a certain time. Not having LSD open creates problems to say the least.

[@premchettri7170]

Key question, Whos gonna pay for this ? We are already paying through our Nose with outta control budget. Property Taxes are all time high and most of our money isnt even going for development but to pensioners !! SOLVE THESE PROBLEM.. its massive drainage !!

[@bobsteve4812]

It’s gonna cost tons of money to maintain the collapsing roadway regardless. It will save tons of money long term to make the road narrower and add more nature that takes care of itself

[@wwspic36]

Who cares? They have already ruined it when the "S" curve was eliminated. Why turn the best feature of Chicago into a transit and bike lane?

[@dponzi56]

Future of Lake Shore Drive? Google Mogadishu.

[@zgihi]

if anything, lakeshore drive is part of our culture just as much as the waterway and it is not a "highway"

[@furfoxsake1175]

Chicago is the most beautiful major city in the US and Lake Shore Drive looks like a massive scar.

[@keithlott5146]

It really dont, its a beautiful drive on summers evening under the glow of the moon.

[@billhosko7723]

Subjective propaganda....

[@ortegaperu8510]

Ripp it out

[@xilingsinqueso]

I really hate the lake shore drive. It makes access to the beaches difficult and it's noisy as hell.

[@gwynbr]