<p>The traffic was backed up more than usual at 31st Street on the afternoon of June 5. Frequent crashes at the intersection with Halsted Street led me to assume there was another when I saw blue flashing lights. I crossed 31st on my bicycle and continued south on a side street.</p><p>But when I cut over at 33rd Place to cross Halsted on my way to pick up my children, the street was still closed.