Phase 1 of Transformative Wells-Wentworth Connector Begins

Big neighborhood infrastructure news late last week (via DNAinfo):

Daniel Burnham proposed it. Engineers and laborers moved the Chicago River to make room for it.

But more than a century passed before construction got started on a road connecting Chinatown and Downtown. 

Work began this week on the long-promised Wells-Wentworth Connector, according to city officials and Ald. Danny Solis (25th). 

The new $62 million roadway will realign Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road, in turn easing congestion for Chinatown and South Loop residents heading Downtown.

This is probably the single biggest civic project happening in the neighborhood.  It might not have the biggest price tag (see McCormick Place Arena Project), but it no doubt will spur development alongs this corridor.

While this concept has been discussed for a long time, it most recently became resuscitated in 2014.

The first phase is slated to be done in June 2017, with the final phase to be completed in 2018 - which should pave the way for the massive redevelopment of the former Rzeko 62-acre vacant lot.

(Hat tip:  DD, GF, JB!)