71st Street Traffic Analysis, Chicago, IL

Regina Webster & Associates was retained as a subconsultant by Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates to provide engineering services for completion of a Phase I Study of 71st Street streetscape between Woodlawn Avenue and South Shore Drive. 71st is an arterial street with a Metra Electric District South Chicago Line (MED/SC) rail corridor located in the median of the street and operating at street level. At-grade crossings were provided at 16 locations within the project limits. There were only four signalized intersections in the project area, and many of the unsignalized ones had unusual traffic patterns and geometrics, which constituted significant risk factors for traffic safety in the area. RWA collected peak-hour traffic counts and conducted intersection capacity analyses. RWA staff also conducted U-Turn/Left Turn/Grade Crossing analyses of the two crossing sites in the project area and proposed improvements for reducing potential hazards at those locations. Included in the project scope was an evaluation of the impact of potential closures at two selected crossing locations, capacity analyses of adjacent intersections for increased traffic flow, determination of alternate access routes, and recommendations for geometric, signage and striping.