Chicago aldermen call out transportation dept. over Complete Streets, bike lanes

(The Center Square) – A Chicago alderman says the city’s Complete Streets program is a disaster that’s costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

According to the Chicago Department of Transportation, the city had 30% fewer traffic fatalities in 2024 than in 2021.

CDOT Assistant Commissioner Dave Smith discussed Complete Streets capital investments before the city council’s committee on pedestrian and traffic safety on Monday.

“When we design our streets for those most in need, we make the streets safer for everybody,” Smith said.

The assistant commissioner said the number of serious or life-altering injuries also decreased.

Smith cited enhanced crosswalks, curb ramps and extensions, bikeways, bus boarding islands and other measures.

Alderman Raymond Lopez told the CDOT officials that Complete Streets has been a complete disaster for the Brighton Park neighborhood.

“You’ve been acting in a very rogue and unaccountable...