Client:

Chicago Department of Transportation

Engineer:

McClier Corporation

Category:

Planning and Analysis

The Dan Ryan, Chicago's busiest expressway, is also the subject of a major reconstruction project. Over the next several years, traffic lanes, exit ramps and bridges will be altered and reconfigured along the ten-mile stretch of interstate highway on the city's south side.

In addition to the Chicago Department of Transportation, the project involves several agencies - Illinois Department of Transportation, the Chicago Transit Authority, the City of Chicago, Gateway Green Expressway Partnership and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development - that are working together to improve quality of life along the roadway and in the neighborhoods through which it winds.

To coordinate the beautification effort, landscape architects Site Design Group developed treatment standards for thelandscape, paving, ramps, fencing and structures along the expressway, enhancing its aesthetic appeal while creating a maintainable interstate roadway. Visual consistency, quality control and standards for construction documents served as the program requirements. The landscape guidelines are broken into four sections: existing conditions, proposed materials for design requirements, design prototypes that set standards for proposed improvement, and maintenance guidelines.

The guidelines eliminate distractions while providing a pleasing, calming background for drivers. Recommendations for tree groves, dense understory plantings and special floral beds visually define the planting beds along embankments. Bridge treatments include sculpture walls, higher-quality railings and special signage.

All work together to improve the city's image and contribute to the enhancement of adjacent neighborhoods.