Anti-Violence Protest On Lake Shore Drive: Proposed Detours

CHICAGO, IL — Anti-violence protesters plan to march on Lake Shore Drive during rush hour and make their way to Wrigley Field before Thursday's Cubs game. Lollapalooza will also be getting underway, and thousands of vehicles could be stuck in a massive traffic jam if drivers don't take alternate routes. More than 100,000 vehicles travel along Lake Shore Drive during rush hour each day.

The march is set for 4 p.m., and protesters plan to travel along the northbound lanes of Lake Shore between Diversey Parkway and Belmont Avenue — an area that doesn't offer many detours. According to a Facebook post by one of the march organizers, protesters may try to shut down southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive as well.

At Belmont, the protesters plan to move west to Clark Street, then northwest to Wrigley.

Drivers are advised to take Western, Ashland, Damen or Lincoln Avenues to get around street closures west of Wrigley Field.

The Cubs will be playing the San Diego Padres Thursday, and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Driving to the Cubs game is not recommended, and even CTA buses are likely to get stuck in traffic — instead those heading north should take the CTA Red or Brown lines or Metra's Union Pacific North Line.

Because of the protest, the 44th Ward has enacted parking restrictions from 2 to 10 p.m. in the following locations:

• Clark from Roscoe to Grace
• Addison from Halsted to Racine
• Patterson from Clark to Racine
• Inner Lake Shore Drive from Briar to the southbound ramp off Belmont.

To add to the traffic concerns, there will be several street closures in the Loop for Lollapalooza, which kicks off Thursday. Lake Shore Drive will remain open during the festival; however Michigan Avenue will be shut down between Roosevelt and Randolph starting around 9:15 p.m. until the crowds clear.

Restrictions for trucks will be enforced in the same section of Michigan — no vehicles larger than a cargo van will be allowed between Roosevelt and Randolph.

Protesters are calling for the resignations of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson, and said they aren't looking to coordinate with police or the city for the protest.

Top image via Google Maps Streetview.