Western Avenue (Chicago)

Infobox_road
highway_name = Western Avenue
marker_

alternate_name = 2400 West
length_mi = 27.38
length_round = 2
direction = North-south
starting_terminus = Asbury Avenue at Howard Street (7600 N) at the Chicago/Evanston city limits
ending_terminus =
cities = Posen, Blue Island, Chicago
established =
system =

Western Avenue is the longest continuous street within the city of Chicago at convert|23.67|mi|km|2 in length.cite web |author=Illinois Technology Transfer Center |url=http://www.dot.state.il.us/gist2/select.html |title=T2 GIS Data |accessdate=2007-11-08 |date=2006] Some sources claim that Western is the longest street in the world.cite web | last = Varon | first = Roz | authorlink = Roz Varon | title = Street Talk: Western Avenue | publisher = ABC7 Chicago | date = 2004-01-13 | url = http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=1066936 | accessdate = 2007-10-08] Western Avenue extends south as a continuous road to the Dixie Highway at Sibley Boulevard (Illinois Route 83) in Dixmoor, giving the road a total length of convert|27.38|mi|km|2. Within Chicago's grid street system, Western Avenue is 2400 West.

History

From 1851 to 1869, Western Avenue delineated the western edge of the city of Chicago. ] Being at the edge of town, it became a picnic spot, and Riverview Park was built at the intersection of Western and Belmont Avenues. The amusement park remained open from 1904 until 1967. The park's property is now home to the Riverview Plaza shopping center, the Belmont District Police Station, and DeVry Institute of Technology. Western Avenue is considered one of the safest roads in Chicago for cyclists, commuting motorists generously share the road with their cycling counterparts.

Transit

Western Avenue is serviced by many Chicago Transit Authority buses and trains. The street is crossed by the Brown Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, and two times by the Blue Line, on the O'Hare and Douglas branches. The Western Avenue Buses (#49, 49A, 49B, and x49) run along Western Avenue, from Howard Street in the north to 135th Street in Blue Island. The street is also served by the #349 Pace bus in the southern suburbs, and by a Metra stop on the north side.

References

External links

[http://www.forgottenchicago.com/westimp.php ForgottenChicago.com's Excellent article on an Art Deco Era Streetscape on S. Western Ave.]