The weekend brings high temps, a big concert and road closures on the Lake Shore Drive, while Children’s Memorial Hospital executes the final stages of its big move.
Children’s Memorial are using about 20 ambulances to transport 130 critically ill or injured children from the Lincoln Park campus to the hospital’s new location, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, in Streeterville.
The hospital estimates the move will be completed around 7 p.m. on Satuday. They projected the move to take up to 10-18 hours and made a contingency plan with a 48-hour timeframe in case of emergencies.
A spokesperson for Children's Memorial said plans for the move have been underway for four years.
"We have a dedicated and experienced transport team that safely transports sick children everyday," said Julie Pesch. "We are confident that the move will go smoothly."
The move is scheduled to begin at 5 or 6 a.m. Saturday morning. Ambulances will use a special route coordinated with the City of Chicago.
Fullerton Parkway is closed to traffic between Lincoln Avenue and Lake Shore Drive and restricted parking will be in place on other streets along the route.
Parking is restricted near Ann & Robert H.Lurie Children’s Hospital and on the follwing blocks:
- 500-700 blocks of Fullerton Parkway
- 2300 block of Orchard and Lincoln Avenue
- 200-400 blocks of Chicago Avenue
- 200 block of East Superior Street
- The north side of 100-200 blocks of East Lake Shore Drive.
The 2300 block of North Orchard Avenue near the Lincoln facility will be closed. Chicago Avenue will remain open to motorists while the Fullerton exit on Lake Shore Drive will be closed. Traffic control aides will be out to direct the flow of anticipated heavy traffic.
Brad Paisley Concert at Wrigley Field
Because of Saturday's move, the Chicago Cubs asked Brad Paisley concertgoers for their patience and cooperation. Attendees are advised to use alternate routes to get to Wrigley Field.
Concertgoes are strongly encouraged to take public transportation or use an alternate route, such as Interstate 90/90 to the Addison Street exit get to the field. Those that must use Lake Shore Drive should exit at Irving Park Road.
The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago opened Saturday at 6 a.m. Families who need emergency room services should go to the new location at 225 E. Chicago Avenue.
