I know that people often say that the Mayor's city stops at Irving Park, I am not sure how this story can be used as "evidence" that Uptown is getting screwed again. On this issue and from the facts in this article, that doesn't seem to be a very good argument. I only point this out because that is common comment and it hurts the really good evidence when people point to everything and say "see that is us getting screwed again."
The other thing I would have to say is that my, my have my own standards sunk so low. I drive LSD from Lawrence to Irving everyday and then down to the University of Chicago frequently as well. I guess I just know the terrain so well that I compensate for it in ways that I don't even know! I hadn't really been thinking much about potholes lately!
Yes, the city is full of potholes. It may be true that north of Irving Park is worse than south of I.P. on LSD, but I drive through Lakeview and Lincoln Park and there are massive potholes on surface streets there as well.
I think there's an estimated 2 bazillion potholes in Chicago right now due to a really harsh winter and they probably want to make sure we're out of the thick of it before starting repairs. Even when I'm walking downtown along Wacker... potholes everywhere.
But it is not just old man winter who is behind the potholes. Other countries use different materials for the streets and they last longer. American cities like Chicago choose not to require a guarantee period for our streets projects and the companies who resurface the streets are often given the repair contracts too. So, there are very few incentives to use superior materials and techniques that may cost more upfront.
There is a better way to do all of this (both in terms of long term costs and in terms of aggravation). However, there is A LOT of interest in maintaining the status quo. Regular folks are the ones who pay for it.
Hello, my name is Mayor Daley. Who are you people? Please contact your town's Mayor on this issue. Fell free to come to Chicago, you can start your tour at the Red Line Sheridan stop. Please do not go North, I have heard rumors of bad fruit, like apples.
So, this morning the local travel warning included road-work on LSD at Wilson - probably too soon to be a reaction to this story, but just part of the normal program?
How many more years do they think they can patch these bridges, which were scheduled for replacement years ago?
What do our State Reps and Senator do for Uptown vs. their Lakeview neighborhood? Oh, that's right they argue for more funding for more social services to be placed in our end of their district while putting the community improvements at the other end of the district.
Driving LSD is like driving in Badgad in Irak...Wait, even driving in Bagdad wouldn't have been worst than driving in Chicago... I'm not even talking about North Sheridan rd, this road should be closed to circulation upon reaching Evanston which is the worst suburb ever in terms of roads maintenance. Chicago is definitely the windy city of pot holes where officials don't give a damn !
I know that people often say that the Mayor's city stops at Irving Park, I am not sure how this story can be used as "evidence" that Uptown is getting screwed again. On this issue and from the facts in this article, that doesn't seem to be a very good argument. I only point this out because that is common comment and it hurts the really good evidence when people point to everything and say "see that is us getting screwed again."
ReplyDeleteThe other thing I would have to say is that my, my have my own standards sunk so low. I drive LSD from Lawrence to Irving everyday and then down to the University of Chicago frequently as well. I guess I just know the terrain so well that I compensate for it in ways that I don't even know! I hadn't really been thinking much about potholes lately!
Driving in Chicago is like driving on the moon. Where are all the taxes going????
ReplyDeleteYes, the city is full of potholes. It may be true that north of Irving Park is worse than south of I.P. on LSD, but I drive through Lakeview and Lincoln Park and there are massive potholes on surface streets there as well.
ReplyDeleteI think there's an estimated 2 bazillion potholes in Chicago right now due to a really harsh winter and they probably want to make sure we're out of the thick of it before starting repairs. Even when I'm walking downtown along Wacker... potholes everywhere.
ReplyDeleteBut it is not just old man winter who is behind the potholes. Other countries use different materials for the streets and they last longer. American cities like Chicago choose not to require a guarantee period for our streets projects and the companies who resurface the streets are often given the repair contracts too. So, there are very few incentives to use superior materials and techniques that may cost more upfront.
ReplyDeleteThere is a better way to do all of this (both in terms of long term costs and in terms of aggravation). However, there is A LOT of interest in maintaining the status quo. Regular folks are the ones who pay for it.
Hello, my name is Mayor Daley. Who are you people? Please contact your town's Mayor on this issue. Fell free to come to Chicago, you can start your tour at the Red Line Sheridan stop. Please do not go North, I have heard rumors of bad fruit, like apples.
ReplyDeleteFussy person here: Potholes may metaphorically or actually "reek", but they WREAK havoc
ReplyDeleteLSD is a state highway, so if you want to complain about funding to repair it, you need to focus your angst on Blago...
ReplyDeleteSo, this morning the local travel warning included road-work on LSD at Wilson - probably too soon to be a reaction to this story, but just part of the normal program?
ReplyDeleteWe're getting new expansion joints for Wilson and Lawrence bridges instead of new bridges.
ReplyDeleteMore Orange Cones.
ReplyDeleteHow many more years do they think they can patch these bridges, which were scheduled for replacement years ago?
What do our State Reps and Senator do for Uptown vs. their Lakeview neighborhood? Oh, that's right they argue for more funding for more social services to be placed in our end of their district while putting the community improvements at the other end of the district.
Driving LSD is like driving in Badgad in Irak...Wait, even driving in Bagdad wouldn't have been worst than driving in Chicago...
ReplyDeleteI'm not even talking about North Sheridan rd, this road should be closed to circulation upon reaching Evanston which is the worst suburb ever in terms of roads maintenance.
Chicago is definitely the windy city of pot holes where officials don't give a damn !