A new bridge is to be built on the North Side of Chicago, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross the North Shore Channel without crossing the congested Lincoln Avenue, city officials announced Tuesday.
Currently, the North Shore Channel Trail gaps between Lincoln Avenue and Devon Avenue, but the bridge will create one contiguous route that runs from Evanston south to Lawrence Avenue, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Chicago citizens have been asking for the gap to be filled for years, says Ald. Debra Silverstein of the 50th ward. The main complaint is that Lincoln Avenue is crowded and difficult to cross.
“There’s always been this gap where people get off and cross the street and get back on the trail,” Silverstein says.
Construction of the North Shore Channel Trail bridge is estimated to cost $3.4 million.
This project is another part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s “Our Great Rivers” report, which he plans to bring residents closer to the different rivers. The report aims to make the Chicago, Calumet and Des Plaines rivers more accessible and cleaner by 2030.
