Chicago Plan Commission approves Navy Pier Flyover

As we reported earlier this week, the Chicago Plan Commission today reviewed the Navy Pier Flyover. We are excited to let you know that the project has been approved! You can read our testimony from the Plan Commission meeting below. The cutting edge bridge design will create safer conditions and provide congestion relief for cyclists, pedestrians and other trail users on the trial near Navy Pier.

“We’re so pleased with the Chicago Plan Commission’s approval of the Navy Pier Flyover, and we applaud the Chicago Department of Transportation for their hard work creating a project that will improve transportation choices for Chicagoans,” says Ron Burke, Active Trans executive director. “With funding for two of three phases of the project in place, we look forward to seeing construction start next spring, but we will continue to advocate for funding to complete this important project.”

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Active Trans Feb. 17 Chicago Plan Commission Testimony

Good afternoon. My name is Lee Crandell and I’m the Membership Director at the Active Transportation Alliance. I’m here today on behalf of the Active Transportation Alliance and our 5,800 members in support of the Navy Pier Flyover project.

Thousands of Chicagoans use the Lakefront Trail daily to commute to their jobs and access neighborhood services. It’s a critical piece of our city’s infrastructure, with peak daily usage reaching nearly 30,000 people at the busiest points along the Lakefront Trail. It’s important to Chicago’s residents and visitors for transportation, recreation and exercise, serving as a link between our parks, beaches, neighborhoods, downtown jobs and tourist attractions.

The Navy Pier Flyover project addresses a confusing and dangerous stretch of the Lakefront Trail from just north of Navy Pier south to where the trail is forced onto a tight sidewalk over the Chicago River. Current conditions on the trail include blind corners, narrow right-of-ways and traffic conflicts that severely limit trail traffic and create an often hazardous experience for pedestrians, motor vehicles, bicyclists and other trail users. This project would address those problems, improving trail capacity and making this area safer for all users.

We want Chicago to be a healthier, greener and more attractive place to live. We want stronger connections between the North and South Sides and downtown. This is a really exciting project that would serve those goals and also set Chicago apart as a national leader in innovative transportation infrastructure.

The Active Transportation Alliance has helped to ensure that the public’s voice and concerns have been heard regarding this project. CDOT’s thorough process has resulted in a project that we believe is worthy of Chicago Plan Commission approval today.

Thank you.