DOWNTOWN — NBC's "Chicago P.D." plans to block off a stretch of Wacker Drive for a big chase scene on Wednesday, showing once again that Dick Wolf's art often imitates life.
The Wednesday night drama has applied to close off Upper Wacker Drive east of Columbus Drive for the two-day shoot starting at 3 p.m., according to permits filed with the city. The stretch would be completely closed to traffic till 5 a.m. Thursday.
Records show the permit is still being reviewed, and it's possible inclement weather Wednesday could delay the filming. Ken Wysocki, a lawyer who follows Chicago film sets, said the shoot is a big chase scene:
Wed Oct 26: @NBCChicagoPD starting 6 pm closing down Upper Wacker east of Columbus. Beginning of multi day sequence with big chase scene.
— Filming in Chicago (@filming_chicago) October 26, 2016
A chase on Wacker would be familiar to neighbors, who for years have suffered through late-night street races on the riverfront road. Most of the real-life races are on Wacker's lower levels, but occasionally they move up to the street's top level.
Like "Law & Order" and other shows produced by Wolf, "Chicago P.D." is often inspired by real events. Last week a real-life bicyclist was hit by a car on Michigan Avenue right next to a "Chicago Fire" shoot depicting firefighters aiding a distressed bicyclist.
Officials with "Chicago P.D." and the Chicago Film Office did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
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