The Daley Administration defended its decision not to close Lake Shore Drive earlier during the major winter storm late Tuesday that dumped more than 20 inches of snow on Chicago and generated winds in excess of 50 m.p.h.
During a late afternoon press conference on Wednesday, Raymond Orozco, chief of staff to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, stated that the decision to keep the Drive open until 7:50 p.m on Tuesday was his to make - and that he believes it was the right one.
"In a storm of this magnitude, there's no way to predict from minute to minute what problems may arise," said Orozco during a news conference late afternoon on Wednesday. "But what we do know is that no major accidents and no serious injuries occurred."
The Daley Administration came under fire for not closing Lake Shore Drive earlier, given the severe weather conditions and long-standing blizzard warnings. Hundreds of motorists were stranded along the lakefront thoroughfare beginning Tuesday evening as high winds and snow led to white-out conditions and treacherous road travel. Orozco says he decided to close the Drive after a series of minor accidents occured, making the roads even more dangerous to drivers.
rest at http://fwix.com/chicago/share/2d1e9e89ae/city_defends_handling_of_lake_shore_drive_logjam
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