OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
September 24, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
At the request of the Commissioner of Transportation, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing agreements and associated land transactions regarding vehicular and pedestrian bridges over railroad tracks.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago ("City") is a home rule unit of government by virtue ofthe provisions of the Constitution of the State of Illinois of 1970 and , as such, may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Biannual Bridge Inspection Program, the Chicago Department of Transportation ("CDOT") has been inspecting, and making needed capital repairs to and reconstructing bridges, including those owned by the Chicago Park District ("Park District"); and .
WHEREAS, in 2003, CDOT completed the Lakefront Access Study, a comprehensive study of access to the Chicago Lakefront which included a recommendation that the City should improve pedestrian and vehicular crossings over and under the rights of way of both the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority ("Metra") and the Illinois Central Railroad Company ("ICR"), and crossings over and under Lake Shore Drive.
WHEREAS, in response to these recommendations, CDOT has proposed a series of projects to provide needed repairs to and reconstruction of existing bridges as, well as construction of new bridges, in order to improve and enhance vehicular and pedestrian access to the south Lakefront ("Project"); and
WHEREAS, the Project includes a) the reconstruction of vehicular bridges over the Metra and ICR rights of way at both East 31st Street and East Oakwood Boulevard; b) the reconstruction and replacement of pedestrian bridges over the Metra and ICR rights ...
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