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Dozens Of Cars From Lake Shore Drive Await Pickup

Updated 02/04/11 - 6:06 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Over 72 hours after a blizzard stranded hundreds of motorists on Lake Shore Drive, most of the cars had been picked up, but dozens were still sitting in city lots, waiting for their owners to retrieve them Friday evening.

According to the city of Chicago website, 62 cars were still waiting to be claimed as of 6 p.m.

A total of 519 cars were relocated to various city lots, where they were towed by city vehicles after being abandoned on Lake Shore Drive Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

The cars were held at a Soldier Field parking lot, as well as lots at Chicago Avenue, Belmont Avenue, Foster Avenue and Wilson Avenue along Lake Shore Drive and a lot at the intersection of North Avenue and Wells Street.

The city closed Lake Shore Drive at 7:58 p.m. Tuesday, after several accidents brought traffic to a standstill. Many motorists and CTA bus drivers were left stranded, in some cases for 12 hours or more.

A total of 700 to 1,000 cars were left blocking Lake Shore Drive. The Outer Drive did not reopen until Thursday morning, after the city finally towed all the cars away and plowed the roadway.

People claiming their vehicles need only bring their address and a description of the vehicle. Motorists should include the make, model and color of the car and have their keys with them.

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