what's going on with the bloomingdale trail? (property, park)

[Link N. Parker]

Originally Posted by edsg25

that would be great, but wouldn't there be endless right-of-way issues straight up the north branch?

There probably would be, and I am not sure how to work around that. Part of it could be accomplished via Eminent Domain, but there are other issues; for example, one section of the river has the aluminum recycling plant right up against the river...I actually studied the satellite photos on google maps to try to find an idea "path" that would not result in the City having to buy out landowners, tear down buildings etc, as that makes the path expensive, but also makes the path not run straight, etc.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Link N. Parker

There probably would be, and I am not sure how to work around that. Part of it could be accomplished via Eminent Domain, but there are other issues; for example, one section of the river has the aluminum recycling plant right up against the river...I actually studied the satellite photos on google maps to try to find an idea "path" that would not result in the City having to buy out landowners, tear down buildings etc, as that makes the path expensive, but also makes the path not run straight, etc.

Link, how far north would you like to see a river walk? up to the Sanitary Canal around Lincoln and Petersen? where the north branch heads to the suburbs and the forest preserves around Devon and Central? or only through the mid-North Side?

[Chi-town Native]

Timely conversation, as I was just talking with another oft-irritated NW side commuter on my blue line ride home. She was asking if the trail will get riders east of Ashland to Elston, and from the map, I really can't tell. I have heard quite a lot about this trail as one of my close friends has been volunteering at fundraisers for it for almost a decade now, and I don't think I have ever gotten the sense it goes beyond the Metra stop just west of Ashland.

I would LOVE to be corrected on this, will it really get us east of Ashland, and even Elston?

IMO the worst 25 feet of bike riding in Chicago are when you are trying to cross Ashland headed north on Elston, as cars (especially taxis) often swerve right at the last second to get to Ashland, as they either didn't know or didn't care that there is a dedicated lane for that they were supposed to be in.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by edsg25

Link, how far north would you like to see a river walk? up to the Sanitary Canal around Lincoln and Petersen?

That's the North Shore Channel, the Sanitary Canal is on the Southwest side, running parallel with Stevenson.

There's already a bike and walking path running along the North Branch and then the North Shore Channel from Lawrence way up north to Green Bay Road, I used to cycle on it often when I lived in Lincoln Square.

[chet everett]

While the abandoned rail ROW does have an overpass at Ashland that does NOT extend to the EAST side of the Kennedy -- https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9138.../data=!3m1!1e3

[Link N. Parker]

Originally Posted by chet everett

While the abandoned rail ROW does have an overpass at Ashland that does NOT extend to the EAST side of the Kennedy -- https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9138.../data=!3m1!1e3

Yeah, and I think they are tearing down the Ashland overpass this weekend...

[Link N. Parker]

Originally Posted by edsg25

Link, how far north would you like to see a river walk? up to the Sanitary Canal around Lincoln and Petersen? where the north branch heads to the suburbs and the forest preserves around Devon and Central? or only through the mid-North Side?

Great question. I would love to see the Riverwalk (as a walking and biking path) extend from the Loop, all the way up to at least the 606 (if there was a way to extend it east of ashland and east of the kennedy). I would then like to see it go up to at least avondale and beyond.

[quigboto]

Looks like it's been delayed a bit, unfortunately.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by quigboto

Looks like it's been delayed a bit, unfortunately.

Bummer.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by quigboto

Looks like it's been delayed a bit, unfortunately.

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Bummer.

Damn, I was getting pretty excited to see it completed.