The Committee approved an ordinance giving the Department of Transportationauthority to remove about a dozen street signs downtown as part of the Loop Link Project, among other routine matters like residential parking permits and loading zones on an 18 page agenda. The ordinance will help the DOT as it adds new bus stations, protected bike lanes and designated bus lanes, as planned under the $41.5 million project.

Committee Members Present: Chairman Walter Burnett (27), Vice Chair Deb Mell (33), Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), Ald. Jason Ervin (28), Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29), Ald. Emma Mitts (37), Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41), Ald. James Cappleman (46), Ald. Debra Silverstein (50)
Start time: 12:00pm

Testimony about the Loop Link Project from Michael Amsden, the Assistant Director for Transportation Planning, took up the bulk of the 15 minute meeting Thursday. Amsden responded to questioning from Ald. Emma Mitts (37) about funding, saying a federal grant is paying for half of the project, as well as $19 million in TIF Funds and $1 million in state money. Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) asked if the Department plans to replicate rapid-bus transit and designated bus lanes in other parts of the city. Amsden said expansion plans are slow moving, as the CTA has received a lot of public comment on the issue. Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41), a former police officer, wanted to know whether the city plans to use cameras to enforce the designated bus lanes. Amsden says there will be manual enforcement by police on the ground.