what's going on with the bloomingdale trail? (Chicago: 2014, how much)

[edsg25]

could any one give me an update on the bloomingdale trail? I realize that this one isn't speculation and will be completed. Unless I'm mistaken, work is being done on it right now.

i'm just wondering how much and when the projections are for finishing it. along with any other info anyone can share.

what a great idea (I realize borrowed from the High Line) that goes through some of Chicago's greatest neighborhoods.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

News & Press Releases | The 606

[quigboto]

It should be open this year. The construction crews have been working throughout the winter. I'm very excited about this, I think it's going to be nothing but good for my neighborhood.

[Freefall18]

They say Fall of 2014, but you never know with construction projects.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by quigboto

It should be open this year. The construction crews have been working throughout the winter. I'm very excited about this, I think it's going to be nothing but good for my neighborhood.

will all parts be open this summer, quibtoto?

i was also wondering about this: don't the tracks actually continue east of the Kennedy, cutting into the Clybourn corridor? if so, and the trackage is unused and it were practical, wouldn't this be an ideal place for an extension? Imagine a section of track so close to the downtown skyline and how spectacular it would be. west of the Kennedy is neighborhoods and like you noted, I think this is great for them. But it would be nice to something like this extend into the general downtown area.

[quigboto]

I don't know what parts will open when.

I agree if there is unused track that continues east of the planned end point, that would be a real missed opportunity for all. I wish it went all the way to the lakefront, to be honest with you, but since it was such a hard fought, grassroots effort to even get the trail greenlit, I am not going to gripe about what we end up with.

[chet everett]

The abanonded rail line does not extend east of Walsh Park. The portion of the railway east of there is still more or less useful (there is a rail bridge over the river...) but the whole route does NOT go east to the lake, it curves along the rough path of Kingsbury back toward Goose Island...

[Link N. Parker]

A couple of weeks ago, I looked on Google Earth, and did not see that there was a way to extend the trail east of the kennedy...they would have to build a bridge over the river to accomplish it, and either way, once it crosses, there isnt really a logical point (at this time) to place the continuation of the path.

However, I have hopes that there will be an extension of the Riverwalk downtown, that will go up the North Branch for miles, and that somehow, the 606 will be linked to the Riverwalk...you could literally ride your bike from the riverwalk in the Loop, all the way up the North Branch of the river, and into Wicker park, via the 606.

I am also hoping that someday, there will be a way to link the Riverwalk to the Flyover, which then links to the lakefront path! If all of this could be integrated somehow, it would be awesome.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by quigboto

I don't know what parts will open when.

I agree if there is unused track that continues east of the planned end point, that would be a real missed opportunity for all. I wish it went all the way to the lakefront, to be honest with you, but since it was such a hard fought, grassroots effort to even get the trail greenlit, I am not going to gripe about what we end up with.

if it were to go to the lakefront, that would take need construction, wouldn't it. There would be no existing elevated sections of rail to take it there.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Link N. Parker

A couple of weeks ago, I looked on Google Earth, and did not see that there was a way to extend the trail east of the kennedy...they would have to build a bridge over the river to accomplish it, and either way, once it crosses, there isnt really a logical point (at this time) to place the continuation of the path.

However, I have hopes that there will be an extension of the Riverwalk downtown, that will go up the North Branch for miles, and that somehow, the 606 will be linked to the Riverwalk...you could literally ride your bike from the riverwalk in the Loop, all the way up the North Branch of the river, and into Wicker park, via the 606.

I am also hoping that someday, there will be a way to link the Riverwalk to the Flyover, which then links to the lakefront path! If all of this could be integrated somehow, it would be awesome.

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