Edited from CBS -- Construction projects are getting the city ready for the Democratic National Convention. One is the new Damen Green Line stop, at Damen Avenue and Lake Streets. There were stations at Wood Street, Damen Avenue, Oakley Boulevard, and Campbell Avenue on the Lake Street 'L' 1893 opening. The Wood Street station closed after 20 years, and the other three in 1948—leaving no stops for 1.5-miles between Ashland and California Avenues.
Chicago city Chief Operating Officer John Roberson said the new Damen stop will make a major difference ahead of the DNC—and for everyone in the area.
"I want it to be done yesterday. All of these projects are accelerated in a way, again, that we can complete them in time for the DNCT he new 'L' stop, with a "strikingly modern design," will be fully accessible. It will also be of great convenience to those who live and work near the Kinzie Industrial Corridor.
Construction at the Damen Green Line stop is being led by the Chicago Department of Transportation. The estimated cost for the project is $80 million.
Other work the city is expediting ahead of the DNC includes improvements along DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
"Obviously, because of its location to our lakefront, and because of its location to McCormick Place—where many of our delegates will be—we wanted to make sure the improvements along there were going to be able to facilitate effective and efficient transportation to and from all of the venues," Roberson said.
Roberson said the city is also making improvements to the CTA Blue Line, which is heavily traveled by those heading to and from O'Hare International Airports.
"We are doing everything from planting flowers, painting light poles, fixing sidewalks," Roberson said.
"When people ask the question, 'Is Chicago ready?'" said Robrson "Yeah. We're ready. Are you?" ehe city says all the projects should be completed by the DNC August 19th start,.
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