CHICAGO (AP) – An alderman on the Northwest Side of Chicago has temporarily halted work on a digital billboard along the Kennedy Expressway.
Ald. John Arena of the 45th Ward parked his car Monday morning in front of a bulldozer at the construction site. He says he decided to take matters into his own hands after the city failed to notify him that the work was beginning.
Later on Monday, Arena met with Chicago transportation officials, who decided to hold off on construction until a public meeting could be held.
The work is part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to install electronic billboards along the city’s expressways. Several billboards will go up in Arena’s ward, which includes the Jefferson Park and Portage Park neighborhoods.
Transportation officials say the work also will improve infrastructure.