Renderings that are almost too good to be true (as they often are) came out this week that show an ambitious re-imagining of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive. Second Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins is championing a plan that would straighten out the street's S-curve around Oak Street Beach and make way for a 70-acre park along the lake.

The alderman presented the plans, drawn up by architecture firm VOA Associates, at a Streeterville neighborhood meeting this week. Part of the plan calls for burying Lake Shore Drive beneath a new underpass that would provide pedestrian access to the lakefront parkland. The plan also calls for a new man-made island between Grand and North avenues that would protect the lakefront.

The greenspace would buffer the street from crashing winter waves, alleviate traffic by removing traffic signals on the street, and in general improve beaches and make for a more desirable lakefront.

The project, pending approval, will take a lot of time and money, though. Discussed for years, the last time the cost was estimated for this endeavor it came to $177 million—but bringing the latest renderings to fruition would likely command more. Construction wouldn't start until at least 2020. But doesn't this sound nice? Check out the renderings at DNAInfo.

Sources:

The Future Of Lake Shore Drive? Stunning New Beaches And 70 New Park Acres [DNAInfo]

A look at the ambitious plan to bury Chicago's Lake Shore Drive and create new park space [Curbed Chicago]