This time next week, you'll see Pace buses taking the shoulder on the Stevenson.
The pilot project is funded by a $1.5 million federal grant to improve air quality. Pace, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Authority and the Illinois State Police all have a hand in the program.
The service will allow buses to drive around traffic during specific times of the day and only in specific areas.
Inbound buses will be able to use the inside lane between 5 and 9 a.m. between Lemont Road and Kedzie Avenue, outbound in the same area between 3 and 7 p.m.
The buses must stay between the white lines between County Line Road and I-294 and between Central and Cicero Avenues and will only be able to avert traffic if it's traveling less than 35 mph.
Signs alert drivers when shoulder driving by bus drivers is allowed.
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Pace officials say the goal is to improve the reliability of its service and speed up the commute for customers who use two express bus routes that serve the southwest suburbs.
