A ‘redefine’ of DuSable Lake Shore Drive must make the iconic street more special, not less

This conceptual rendering shows how DuSable Lake Shore Drive’s revised Oak Street curve might look with additional lanes, beachfront abd shoreline protection. (City of Chicago)

There is no doubt that DuSable Lake Shore Drive needs a revamp, particularly its northern half, which is bedeviled by traffic jams, shoreline erosion and sketchy pedestrian access.

The results of a proposed study to overhaul DLSD — called Redefine the Drive — were released last month, showing how the roadway between Grand Avenue and Hollywood could look if improved.