Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael P. Kelly to break ground on the next segment of the Lakefront Trail Separation project to create separate bike and pedestrian paths from 41st to 55th Streets. Construction for this section is expected to be complete by the end of 2017.

“Trail separation does more than address issues of overcrowding; it makes the lakefront more accessible for the thousands of visitors and Chicagoans that use the path each day,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Breaking ground from 41st to 55th is an important step as we continue working to make the Lakefront Trail more accessible and more enjoyable for pedestrians and cyclists alike.”

The Lakefront Trail Separation was designed to alleviate areas of congestion by creating two distinct paths; a bike trail and a separate pedestrian trail for those on foot. Initial funding was provided by the Chicago Park District. Completion of the project was made possible by a generous donation from Ken Griffin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel.

“Today we take another step forward towards making the Lakefront trail more accessible and more enjoyable for cyclists, runners and walkers in Chicago,” said Ken Griffin. “I appreciate all of the efforts that have gone into this project and applaud Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent Kelly for their continued leadership in seeing it to completion.”

The first section, from 31st Street to 41st Street, was completed in June, with continued construction from Fullerton to North Ave. and Oak Street to Ohio Street. Chicago’s entire 18-mile Lakefront Trail, which runs from Ardmore Avenue on the north to 71st Street on the south, will be separated for cyclists and pedestrians, and is expected to be complete in 2018.

"The Chicago Park District has worked collectively with the City of Chicago, Active Transportation Alliance and Chicago Area Runners Association for years in search of ways to provide a safer more efficient way for all to enjoy the lakefront trail," said General Superintendent and CEO Michael P. Kelly. "We are proud to say that with the support of Mr. Griffin, Chicagoans and visitors alike will experience walking, running or biking along an entirely new 18-mile lakefront path by the end of 2018."

Construction on the lakefront will add to the many investments Mayor Emanuel has announced to improve access to the lakefront on the city’s South Side. A new pedestrian and bike bridge is in construction at 41st Street over South Lake Shore Drive, and is the second of five bridge projects of its kind. A replacement pedestrian bridge at 35th Street opened in 2016. CDOT is completing engineering plans for the replacement of the deteriorating, non-ADA compliant pedestrian bridge at 43rd Street. Engineering is also being finalized on a project to replace the bridge over the railroad tracks at 31st Street.

Increasing access to the lakefront is a key component of Building on Burnham, Mayor Emanuel’s comprehensive plan to invest in the Lakefront, the Chicago River, natural areas and recreational opportunities in neighborhoods across the city.

Once complete, the split trail will provide separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians along the entire 18-miles. The standard bike trail will measure 12 feet in width and the pedestrian trail will measure 20 feet in width with 14 feet of asphalt or concrete and 3 feet of compacted stone mix on both sides. In some cases due to site constraints, these standard designs could not be achieved so the dimensions have been altered as necessary; however trail separation will still have been achieved.

Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is one of the busiest in the United States. Used by cyclists, joggers and people enjoying the scenery, it is estimated that more than 100,000 people per day use the trail during summer weekends according to a recent study by Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) and the Active Transportation Alliance (ATA).

Mayor Emanuel originally announced plans to separate the trail from Fullerton to Ohio streets and 31st to 51st streets in March 2016 when he unveiled Building on Burnham, a comprehensive vision to invest in Chicago's parks and open spaces. This plan follows the Mayor’s successful expansion of Chicago’s park system in his first mayoral term, which has already added 750 acres of new parkland, 256 new playgrounds and more than $800 million in capital investment from neighborhoods and private sources.

###