Condo Owners Want To Put Brakes On New Ramp For Circle Interchange
(CBS) – The Illinois Department of Transportation plans a massive overhaul of the Circle Interchange near downtown Chicago linking the Dan Ryan, the Kennedy, the Eisenhower Expressway and Congress Parkway.
But some residents of a West Loop condominium would like to throw a road block in the agency's path, CBS 2's Brad Edward reports.
Owners bought knowing they would be near an interstate, says David Lewis, board president of the Green Street Lofts at 400 S. Green St. But IDOT's proposed two-lane ramp connecting the Eisenhower and Kennedy would bring traffic within 7 feet of their building, he says.
"It would basically render our building uninhabitable and all of our investments worthless," Lewis says.
Stacey Simmons's unit is on the front line.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to sleep," she says. "I'm also concerned about the air quality."
Residents put a banner atop their building Monday that said, "IDOT Don't Destroy Our Homes!"
The agency says it's listening.
"This overall project will be of great benefit in terms of relieving congestion," IDOT spokesman Mike Claffey says. "And we've heard the complaints. We plan to make some changes to the geometry of the ramp in question."
That new plan will be unveiled at a public input session on Wednesday. It will be held at Marriott Chicago at Medical District, 625 S. Ashland Ave.
