Did You Know?
Bloomingdale Trail project secures funds
On Monday, March 12, Mayor Emanuel announced that the remaining first phase funds for the Bloomingdale Trail have been secured. The funding for the project is coming from a variety of sources, such as federal anti-congestion and air-quality funding, the Chicago Park District and the Exelon Foundation.
The Bloomingdale Trail and Park will be Chicago’s first elevated, multi-use linear park and bike trail. The project will convert 2.7 miles of elevated railway line within the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Bucktown, and Wicker Park, and will run from Ashland Avenue (1600 west) to Ridgeway Avenue (3700 west).
The current plan calls for dips and curves in the trail – in order to slow down cyclists and avoid monotony. Additionally, the trail will contain at least 1.5 miles of pedestrian pathways – though this amount may increase.
Eight access points are currently in the works and will be spaced at .5-mile intervals. Construction may begin as early as 2013, with portions of the project opening in 2014.
Anyone interested in getting involved with the planning aspect of the trail should check out the Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail website for a list of upcoming meetings and events.
For a full update on the trail, read the Chicago Tribune’s Cityscapes article here. The City of Chicago has a collection of resources, as well.
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