Black History Month: The King Bridge
King Drive: The street was originally named Grand Boulevard and then changed to South Parkway Boulevard. The name was changed to Martin Luther King Drive after Dr. King's assasination in 1968.
Black History Month
Befitting Black History Month, in 2012, State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) passed a resolution out of the Senate which designates the bridge located between 99th and 100th Streets on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Roseland Heights and Rosemoor as the "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge." “The community has spoken,” said Senator Jones. “Dr. King dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of the most disenfranchised and underserved Americans, it’s only right that we honor his name by placing it on the bridge connecting these two neighborhoods.”
ROSELAND HEIGHTS — For nearly a half-century (45 years), a street in Chicago has been named after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Thanks to South Side residents, there is now a bridge named for the civil rights leader.
The Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Memorial Bridge was unveiled April, 2013 at 99th Street and King Drive in Roseland Heights. It spans Interstate 57 near the Secretary of State Driver Services Facility. Dr. Martin L. King Drive begins just south of Cermak Road and stretches to 115th Street. The street runs through predominantly black South Side neighborhoods. The Bronzeville, Roseland Heights and Rosemoor communities are part of it's14 mile span.
King Overpass at 99th and Dr. Martin L. King Drive
John Jones (One of the main persons who pushed for the bridge naming and organized the movement) originally shared:
Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Memorial sign was installed by IDOT staff on his birthday in January 2013. The signs were approved in the spring of 2011. Special thanks goes to State Senator Emil Jones III, State Rep. Robert Rita, State Rep. Constance Howard, Mayor Emanuel, the Roseland Heights Community Association, the Rosemoor Community, Chicago State University, Developing Communities Project and the Emmett Till Commemoration Initiatives. Other supporters include ATU Local 341,
Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives and Resolute Consulting. Additional plans are underway to improve the entire bridge and its pedestrian entry points.
Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives and Resolute Consulting. Additional plans are underway to improve the entire bridge and its pedestrian entry points.
Clevan Tucker Jr.
