With the release of Wednesday’s report from the International Olympic Committee on Chicago’s plan to host the 2016 Olympic Games, each of the city’s news outlets found something to point out.
But the majority ran with the obvious: traffic and congestion. And why not? The IOC came right out and said that transportation for an Olympic Games in Chicago could be a “major challenge” as commuter traffic would more than double at peak hours.
The IOC report certainly offered at least one stunner in terms of what the city is promising.
On the surface – and for the pure sarcasm factor as a commuter – the IOC’s evaluation states that travel times from O’Hare International Airport to the Olympic Games Center would be about 35 minutes.
As far as I can determine, the Games Center is located near Washington Park at 5531 King Drive.
Google Maps agrees, and says the drive would take about 35 minutes – 50 in traffic. But I challenge anyone to make that drive in 35 minutes.
Perhaps that is where the innovative traffic reduction “scheme”– dubbed the “Olympic Lanes” — comes into play.
That scheme to reduce Chicago traffic by 25 percent — with a 50 percent traffic reduction around the International Broadcast Center/Main Press Center and the Olympic Village — would be essential to ensure appropriate traffic conditions and access in congested areas, the IOC said in its report.
“The extensive Olympic lane system and innovative traffic reduction scheme, as well as efforts to increase the use of public transport in Chicago would require strong public communication and education programs and appropriate enforcement strategies,” the IOC wrote.
You can read the IOC’s Evaluation of Potential Host Cities here.