One of the most congested and confusing intersections in Chicago is going to get a little worse before it gets better.
City officials announced plans Wednesday to reconfigure the intersection of Damen, Elston and Fullerton.
The six-way intersection has become known for its congestion and safety issues, and the Chicago Department of Transportation has been working on an improvement plan since 2002.
Officials said the changes will improve traffic flow and safety by making right-of-way improvements and synchronizing traffic lights.
Data shows the intersection ranking among the top five for most traffic accidents each year, according to city officials, with drivers encountering delays of up to 7 minutes to make a turn or to get through.
The project, which will create up to 100 construction jobs, is scheduled to begin next week.
20 Worst Intersections
The 20 worst intersections, based on the number of crashes in 2010, in the six-county area, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation:
- Stony Island Avenue at South Chicago Avenue, Chicago, 63
- La Grange Road at I-80 westbound ramp, Will County, 56
- Cicero Avenue and 127th Street, Alsip, 53
- North Avenue at First Avenue, Melrose Park, 52
- Ogden Avenue at Illinois 59, Naperville, 48
- Western Avenue at Peterson Avenue, Chicago, 47, 1 fatal
- Hunt Club Road at Grand Avenue, Gurnee, 47
- Kedzie Avenue at Belmont Avenue, Chicago, 47
- 22nd Street at Kingery Highway, Oakbrook Terrace, 47
- Lincoln Highway at Cicero Avenue, Matteson, 46
- Waukegan Road at Willow Road, Northfield, 45
- Bolingbrook Drive at I-55 southbound ramp, Bolingbrook, 45
- Roosevelt Road at Canal Street, Chicago, 43, 1 fatal
- Busse Road at Thorndale Avenue, Bensenville, 43
- Weber Road at I-55 southbound ramp, Romeoville, 43
- Lake Street at Barrington Road, Hanover Park, 42
- Rand Road at Dundee Road, Palatine, 42
- Algonquin Road at Randall Road, Lake in the Hills, 42
- 159th Street/River Oaks Drive at Torrence Avenue, Calumet City, 41
- 127th Street at Paulina Street, Calumet Park, 41
