Senators Want Federal Help To Fix Lake Shore Drive
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The two U.S. senators from Illinois are pressing for federal assistance, in making improvements to Lake Shore Drive following last week's blizzard.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Michele Fiore reports, Lake Shore Drive was shut down for more than 30 hours when high winds, heavy snow and cold temperatures turned the north-south artery into a treacherous place. Some motorists were stranded for 12 hours or more.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Michele Fiore reports
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U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) says the situation is something his mother had feared for years.
"She talked about 25 years of commuting on this road, and said there were occasionally times when she thought she might not make it home, given the inclement weather on the lake," Kirk said.
Now, Kirk is joining U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in calling on the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Department of Transportation to survey the lake for areas of vulnerability.
Durbin and Kirk have identified five spots where they say the lake is perilously close to Lake Shore Drive.
