[Illustration: CXXI. CHICAGO. PROPOSED TWELFTH STREET BOULEVARD AT ITS INTERSECTIONS WITH MICHIGAN AVENUE AND ASHLAND AVENUE. The proposed railway terminals are shown fronting on the Boulevard at its level, which is raised to allow north-and-south traffic to flow underneath. Access to the Boulevard is provided at alternate streets. The rise begins at Michigan Avenue and may end at Canal Street. From the intersection of Twelfth and Canal streets a diagonal thoroughfare is shown extending to the proposed civic center. Between this diagonal and the River is shown the beginning of the proposed West Side railway stations. Painted for the Commercial Club by Jules Guerin. COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO] [Illustration: CXXII. CHICAGO. RAILWAY STATION SCHEME WEST OF THE RIVER BETWEEN CANAL AND CLINTON STREETS, SHOWING THE RELATION WITH THE CIVIC CENTER. This plan provides for the railways at a level below that of the street, with the stations above. Painted for the Commercial Club by Jules Guerin. COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO] In other localities in Chicago besides the one adverted to like conditions prevail, and must be dealt with in similar manner. [Illustration: CXXIII. CHICAGO. ALTERNATE RAILWAY STATION SCHEME WEST OF THE RIVER BETWEEN CANAL AND CLINTON STREETS. This plan provides for the railways at a level above that of the streets. COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY COMMERCIAL CLUB OF CHICAGO] It is proposed ultimately to widen La Salle Street from Van Buren Street south and to connect it with Wentworth Avenue, also widened; likewise to widen La Salle Avenue from the river north,—changes which will come about with the new arrangement of railway stations. By this means a much needed thoroughfare can be opened between the North and the South Sides; and when this is accomplished an open space should be created at the intersection of La Salle and Congress streets, around which should be grouped great business exchanges. This area would become the financial heart of the city, being directly connected in the best manner with the existing banking and office-building neighborhood. Such an axis as La Salle Street, running from the South Side north to Lincoln Park, and having no street cars on its surface, would seem to be demanded for that future time (perhaps not so far off) when the inhabitants of the city shall number several times as many as to-day. Canal Street, also, should be widened and extended, as has already been discussed in the chapter on Transportation.