South Michigan Avenue Reopens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2002
Contact: Jack Beary
(312) 744-9277

Road Work Completed Early

The final barriers came down today along South Michigan Avenue as the road work portion of the Grant Park South Garage reconstruction project wrapped up on the first day of summer, five months ahead of schedule, Public Building Commission of Chicago officials said.

The PBC, chaired by Mayor Richard M. Daley, rebuilt Michigan Avenue from Van Buren to Adams as part of the $35 million Grant Park South underground garage reconstruction project. At Daley's urging, the PBC accelerated the surface work to finish earlier and minimize inconvenience to local businesses, visitors and neighbors. Below-ground work continues, with the garage expected to open in early fall, officials said. Meanwhile, parking is available in the Grant Park North, East Monroe and Millennium Park garages.

"We want to thank the local business community, motorists and Michigan Avenue shoppers for their patience during this project," Kevin Gujral, PBC interim executive director, said. "We got the job done in 11 months and Michigan Avenue has a new, more attractive look."

Part of the PBC work included adding median planters from Monroe to Congress, matching those in place from Monroe to Randolph, officials said.

As of Friday, June 21, completion of the surface work will bring the following traffic improvements:

• South Michigan Avenue lane reduction barriers are gone between Monroe and Congress, allowing three lanes of traffic northbound and three lanes southbound.
  
• Eastbound Jackson Boulevard re-opens from Wabash to Michigan, allowing northbound and southbound traffic onto Michigan.