What is your opinion about the proposed extension of Lakeshore Drive?
- (name withheld)

The problem of mass commuter traffic through the north side of Chicago is a regional problem that demands a regional approach. Extending Lake Shore Drive is a massive and extraordinarily costly endeavor which provides no guarantee for solving this commuter problem. Additionally, with our public schools under-funded, with ongoing problems in CTA, there are far better ways to spend our limited public resources. I am calling first for a review of all existing regional transportation studies and the adoption of a plan that will resolve this commuter problem.

If we are going to spend millions and millions of dollars on transportation, then we should be working to better develop our public and mass transit options.

I am not convinced that extending Lakeshore Drive would work to alleviate the commuter traffic problem in our neighborhood but expanding and improving public and mass transit including the development of commuter parking at the perimeter of our community will.

I also support Julie Hamos’ call for an independent audit of the Regional Transportation Authority and will introduce an ordinance to City Council to extend that audit to the Chicago Transit Authority to find out why capital dollars are being spent on administrative expenses.

Christopher Persons
Candidate for Alderman 48th Ward