Back in June construction crews began working on a new street linking Chinatown to the Loop which is part of Related Midwest’s megadevelopment The 78. On Tuesday, the developer officially announced the groundbreaking on the Wells-Wentworth Connector.
The new streetscape is part of the first phase of the massive $7 billion, mixed-use megadevelopment and one of three new roads that are part of the infrastructure plan. The 78 will also include a CTA Red Line station, the relocation of existing Metra tracks, the reconstruction of the Chicago River seawall to create a recreational riverfront.
The infrastructure improvements are vital—the 13-million-square-foot development is surrounded by rail tracks, busy streets, and the river which creates transportation barriers. The new north-south roadway will connect Wells Street’s South Loop dead-end to Chinatown’s Wentworth Avenue. The project’s work is supported by a $700 million TIF that was approved in April by City Council.
The developer and the Chicago Department of Transportation spent two years working on “a design that sets a new precedent for urban streetscapes,” the statement said.
The new streetscape will ease car traffic and prioritize the safety of pedestrians and bikers. The 5-foot raised bike lane is protected on both sides by a landscaped, tree-lined parkway that separates car traffic and pedestrians. There’s street lighting and sidewalk lighting that keeps all areas of the streetscape illuminated at night. Plus, speed tables (long, flat-topped speed bumps) along the route aim to slow down vehicles.
Architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has designed the master plan while Site Design Group is behind the landscaping for the project.
“The 78 will sit on 62 acres of land that has been undeveloped for 90 years, this road will directly connect the Loop to many neighborhoods, including Chinatown, for the first time. The Connector will be a safe, beautiful streetscape to travel on, whether by car, bike or foot, and we’re excited about the positive economic impact it will have on the surrounding communities,” said Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest in a statement.
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