May 6, 2008 6:29 pm US/Central
Lake Shore Drive Pothole Patching Finally Begins
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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With the constant freesze and thaw cycles of an unusually harsh winter behind us, City of Chicago crews worked to patch potholes on Lake Shore Drive May 6, 2008.
CBS
For months, driving on the north end of Lake Shore Drive, between Belmont and Hollywood avenues has been like traversing the surface of the moon.
It's been so bad that city pothole repair crews were sent out to fix them some 200 times last winter. They couldn't keep up.
"That's really the hardest hit and most deteriorated section of the Drive," said Brian Steele of the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The city began a huge improvement project Tuesday with step one. Crews began grinding the pavement down in the worst spots and filling them in with hot asphalt mix. The freeze and thaw process that causes the roadway to expand then break down is over, allowing the work to proceed.
That is good news for the tens of thousands of drivers who use Lake Shore Drive every day.
"It's a beautiful road, as you know," said motorist Amjad Sheikh. "Lake Shore Drive is one of the most beautiful parts of America and it is painful to see and to feel and get hurt with all these potholes."
"I come all the way from near Evanston and all the way to Randolph and its just a mess all the way down," said driver Daryl Edwards.
In June, a more permanent fix is scheduled. The length of the Drive between Irving Park Road and Foster Avenue will be completely resurfaced.
During that project, the city is promising to keep all lanes open during the morning and afternoon rush.
The city would like a complete and expensive reconstruction of the north end of Lake Shore Drive, but at the moment no money for it
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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