“Linking up the Des Plaines valley suburbs” That’s what they wanted for North Harlem Avenue. This major north–south street in Chicago stretches 54.1 miles. That is 87.1 km. It runs from Glenview to Peotone. It is the third-longest street in the United States.
For much of its length, North Harlem Avenue carries Illinois Route 43. An express bus service is planned for the street. It will run between 95th Street and North Avenue. It will serve southern and western suburbs.
North Harlem Avenue serves many communities. These include Glenview and Morton Grove. Niles and Park Ridge are also served. You’ll also find Edison Park and Norwood Park. Harwood Heights and Norridge are here too. Dunning and Montclare are also on North Harlem Avenue. Elmwood Park and Austin are as well. River Forest and Oak Park are included. Don’t forget Forest Park and Berwyn. North Riverside and Riverside are also served. Lyons and Stickney are too. Forest View and Garfield Ridge are part of it. Clearing and Summit are as well. Bedford Park and Bridgeview are here too. Burbank and Oak Lawn are also on North Harlem Avenue. Chicago Ridge and Worth are included. Palos Heights and Orland Park are also served. Tinley Park and Matteson are here too. Frankfort and Monee are also part of it.
North Harlem Avenue has major intersections. In Peotone, it meets Illinois Route 50. In Frankfort Square, it meets US 30. It also meets Illinois Route 43 and Lincoln Highway. In Tinley Park, it meets I-80. In Palos Heights, it meets Illinois Route 83. In Worth, it meets Illinois Route 7. In Oak Lawn, it meets US 12 and US 20. In Summit, it meets I-55. In Lyons, it meets US 34. In Forest Park, it meets I-290 and Illinois Route 110. In Chicago, it meets Illinois Route 64. It also meets Illinois Route 19. In Chicago, it meets Illinois Route 72. Also in Chicago, it meets I-90. In Niles, it meets Illinois Route 21. In Morton Grove, it meets US 14. In Glenview, it meets Illinois Route 58.
North Harlem Avenue offers transit connections. These connect to the Chicago Loop and the west. Amtrak stations are on North Harlem Avenue. They serve popular Midwest passenger services. These include Hiawatha and Lincoln. They also serve long-distance routes.
The Metra SouthWest Service has a station in Worth. Pace has planned the Pace Pulse 95th Street line. Also Pace has planned the Pace Pulse Harlem line. The Metra Heritage Corridor stops at Summit station. The Metra BNSF Line stops at Harlem Avenue station in Berwyn. Pace has planned the Pace Pulse Cermak Road line. The CTA Blue Line has a Harlem station in Forest Park. The CTA Green Line stops at Harlem/Lake station in Forest Park and Oak Park. The Metra Union Pacific West Line stops at Oak Park station. The Metra Milwaukee District West Line stops at Mont Clare station. The CTA Blue Line has a Harlem station in Norwood Park. Pace has planned the Pace Pulse Touhy Avenue line. Pace also has planned the Pace Pulse Milwaukee Avenue line. The Metra Milwaukee District North Line stops at Glenview station.
In 1923, people thought North Harlem Avenue would be Cook County’s “Main Street.” It would link the Des Plaines valley suburbs. It would be 100 feet wide. The Greater Harlem Avenue association announced this.
The first step was widening North Harlem Avenue. It would go from West Madison Street to Pershing Road. This was four miles. There would be a street railway. Oak Park and Forest Park would have direct transport. They would go to Berwyn, Riverside, and Lyons. They would also go to the Chicago Zoological park.
In 1928, a bridge was planned over the canal. This was at South Harlem Avenue. It would create a through artery from north to south. It would connect North Harlem Avenue between 47th and 53rd. Pavements had been built in sections. But traffic had to detour.