- City:
- Chicago, IL
- Site Type:
- Infrastructure and Utilities, Roads, Bridges, and Tunnels
- New Deal Agencies:
- Public Works Funding, Work Relief Programs, Public Works Administration (PWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA)
- Started:
- 1936
Description
The New Deal helped with the progress of Lake Shore Drive, both the Works Progress Administration and the Public Works Administration providing funding. These administrations’ assistance led to the completion of Lake Shore Drive from Foster Avenue to Jackson Park and led to the related projects of the Outer Drive Bridge and the State Street subway. In 1936, the PWA was granted $893,250 to put towards five public works projects. Some of that money went towards improving Lake Shore Drive between North Avenue and Ohio Street and Belmont Avenue and Byron Street. In 1939, the WPA put $1,250,000 into a new grade separation near North Avenue. The purpose of this was to aid traffic and hopefully eliminate congestion. This project also provided the drive with a new turning circle at North Avenue. The WPA also provided funding for repairs made from North Avenue to Oak Street, one of four WPA street resurfacing projects. (“$893,250 Request to PWA is O.K.’D by Park Board”; “Ready to Pour Concrete for Drive Project”; “Sheridan Road Repairs by WPA Start Monday”).
Lake Shore Drive, one of the United State’s first superhighways (also considered a part of Highway 41), “showcases Chicago like no other street in the city,” according to Chicago Tribune reporter Ron Grossman. Running next to Lake Michigan, it stretches from Hollywood Avenue to the Chicago Skyway and is the product of many projects taking place from the late nineteenth century up until recent years.
In the late 1800s, Potter Palmer, an American businessman also responsible for the development of State Street, convinced the city of Chicago to build the beginnings of what would eventually turn into Lake Shore Drive. He had originally intended it as a place for leisurely strolls. Soon though, the purpose of Lake Shore Drive and Lake Shore Drive itself grew. (Grossman; Biles).
Lake Shore Drive has continued to grow throughout the years, much of it made possible by work relief programs implemented during the Great Depression.
Source notes
Grossman, Ron. "Lake Shore Drive Is a Chicago Treasure." Chicago Tribune. N.p., 22 Dec. 2013. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. Biles, Roger. "New Deal." New Deal. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. $893,250 REQUEST TO PWA IS O. K.'D BY PARK BOARD Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 03 June 1936: 6. READY TO POUR CONCRETE FOR DRIVE PROJECT: New Grade Separation at North Ave. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 30 Mar 1939: 22. SHERIDAN ROAD REPAIRS BY WPA START MONDAY Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 24 Apr 1936: 12. Looking North from Oak Street from the 4th floor roof of The Drake Hotel, one can see the new and old Lake Shore Drive on Aug. 30, 1937. Editors note: This negative contains damage marks from heat. Digital image. Flashback: Lakeshore Drive. Chicago Tribune, 20 Dec. 2013. Web. 7 May 2014. https://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/883.htmlSite originally submitted by Sarah Vesely, Columbia College; Erin TerBeek on October 3, 2012.
Contribute to this Site
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal site.
Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal Site
Join the Conversation