Can Streetcars Help Accessibility Issues at Museum Campus?

Posted by Leo Clark. on Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 at 5:26pm.

Streetcars to Museum Campus in Chicago

If you've ever been to the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, or even Chicago's famed Solider Field, chances are you found it somewhat difficult to even make it over to Museum Campus, let alone find parking, avoid congestion, and eventually find an easy way out.  

Earlier this week, Curbed Chicago reiterated Mayor Rahm Emanuel's desire to make it easier for tourists and locals alike to visit one downtown Chicago's top attractions, highlighting a unique and interesting proposal from a group called the Chicago Streetcar Renaissance 

The idea, of course, revolves around brining back one of the primary forms of public transportation in major cities all over the world back in the 20th centurythe Streetcar. Although the idea may sound a bit dated at first, other cities like Washington DC have already brought back this efficient form of transit, and more are expected to follow as populations within larger cities continue to grow.  

As for Chicago, the Chicago Streetcar Renaissance organization has proposed a route that connects the city's most visited attractions in Museum Campus and Navy Pier with the main transportation hubs in the West Loop like Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, and the CTA Green Line, ultimately giving tourists, locals, and even business travelers easy and direct access to the buildings and locations most want to see while visiting Chicago.  

While nothing has officially been announced or decided on, it seems the city of Chicago is becoming more and more serious about finding a solution to the problem of accessing Museum Campus, and even publishing different ideas they've received on the Civic Artworks website here 

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