Congress Parkway Gets a Makeover

The northern border of the South Loop is finally getting a makeover. Congress Parkway, which is a major transportation artery for the city and often overlooked, will be going through some major improvements. Besides basic street maintenance, it sounds like there will also be some aesthetic improvements (trees, benches, pedestrian improvements, etc):

"Congress is heading for some radical changes, according to plans Attarian shared with curious South Loop residents at a community meeting last week. The ideas aren't yet finalized, and Illinois Department of Transportation must also approve a formal proposal. But the contours of the $19 million overhaul are in place. Construction could start in 2009, with the work completed over two years."