Chicago is No. 1 nationally for worst vehicle congestion, so we asked readers how they make the most of getting stuck in traffic. We also asked which expressways need the most improvement. Here’s what you said, lightly edited for clarity:
“I plan my route using Google Maps. … I try to avoid the city’s worst bottleneck at Chicago Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. I get radio traffic reports on WBEZ or WBBM to hear about crashes or bridge lifts. I often play music, either radio or what I’ve recorded in my phone, to relieve stress.”
— Roger Deschner
“By listening to local radio, music (93.1 WXRT) or sports (670 The Score).”
— Jordan Mainzer
“I don’t feel like I am ‘stuck or trapped’ in the city. I love the city and all it has to offer. From its diversity, economy, arts, sports, and on and on. When I am ‘stuck or trapped’ in traffic. I try to focus on ‘this is my choice’ to live here and deal with the traffic. The other night I drove with a long time friend 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to a play. It was worth it, and it was a great opportunity to have a catch-up session with him.”
— P. Teodo
Which of Chicago’s expressways needs improvements the most?
“Remove the inner-most lanes from the Ike and Dan Ryan to make space for outer express tracks for the Blue and Red Lines, and then fix up the Forest Park leg of the Blue Line so it runs faster again.”
— Aaron Grace
“The Eisenhower from downtown all the way out to Route 53 North. … Through the city that’s the only expressway that has rush hour 24/7.”
— David Novak
“I-55 definitely needs to be widened.”
— Reginald Holliday
“The Bishop Ford is very congested and desperately needs additional lanes. Plus, it floods every time it rains.”
— Greg Lydon
“The Eisenhower Expressway. The best way to improve it would be to get rid of it. Improve the CTA Blue Line and develop the erstwhile expressway into homes and businesses, the way it was 75 years ago before the expressway destroyed the West Side.”
— James R. Anderson