UPDATED INFO. BELOW
Because of the potential construction impact of the Wolf Point development project on the Kinzie Street protected bike lane, 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly shared the news that the city is considering relocating the Kinzie protected bike lane to Grand Avenue.
![""]("http://www.activetrans.org/sites/default/files/kinzie_0.JPG")
Active Trans is pleased that in his negotiations with the developer, Ald. Reilly has made maintaining safe streets for biking a priority. We're also pleased that the developer has agreed to fund the relocation of this highly used bike lane, pending approval of the development by the Chicago Plan Commission.
Active Trans believes Grand Avenue could be a great alternative route, as long as it allows for protected bike lanes accomodating two-way bike traffic between Milwaukee Avenue and the planned protected bike lane on Dearborn Street, and as long as the Grand Avenue bikeway is completed before the Kinzie bikway is removed.
We are still awaiting additional details on this potential project and will share more information as it's available.
UPDATE: We spoke with Alderman Reilly’s office to ask about the bikeway design and whether the Grand bikeway would be installed before the Kinzie bikeway is removed. They said the alderman is committed to ensuring there’s a seamless transition from Kinzie to Grand without disruption to bike access. The plan is to create a connection on Grand between Milwaukee and the planned Dearborn bikeway. The developer is still working out the plans with CDOT and will hire their own contractor to install the bikeway per CDOT’s specs, in order to expedite installation. Details such as how two-way bike traffic will be accommodated are still to be determined. This would be a temporary relocation of the bikeway unless CDOT determines protected bike lanes should remain on Grand.