City Council committee OKs closing Cornell Drive for Obama Presidential Center

Road closures that would pave the way for construction of the $500 million Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Thursday got the green light from a City Council Committee.

The plan approved by the Transportation Committee is confined to Chicago Park District land. It includes closing the southern portion of Midway Plaisance Drive as well as Cornell Drive. That will send southbound traffic from Cornell Drive to Stony Island Avenue, which would be widened, along with the northern portion of Midway Plaisance Drive. Stoplight and barrier walls would be installed on Hayes Drive.

The city has also made a commitment to use $172 million in state funding to widen Lake Shore Drive between 57th Street and Hayes Drive to accommodate the closing of Cornell Drive.

But that plan must be approved separately because the land is not owned by the Chicago Park District.

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