Let's talk about the Bloomingdale Trail
The last existing thread on the Bloomingdale Trail was about how the city contract was not going forward, and I believe it is now, so I’m starting this thread. Rahm Emanuel promised in his Transition Plan to complete the Bloomingdale Trail in his first term, and it looks like they are in fact getting started on the design. Below is info posted on the cityofchicago.org website this week. So far only $2.7 million of an estimated $70 million needed is in hand, though.
It would be great to be able to cycle from the lakefront via Armitage/Cortland and the BT all the way to Humboldt Park on a safe and scenic route.
Meetings will be held to get public input. I'm trying to think of why people may oppose the project, besides the obvious argument that $70 million should go toward fighting crime or funding schools instead. A Reader article reported about nearby homeowners complaining of squatters, vandalism, rock throwing by illegal trespassers currently. But once it’s a legal thoroughfare, I would hope that would be less likely. What will the “con” arguments be?
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June 8, 2011
Bloomingdale Trail design work gets under way
Preliminary design for the Bloomingdale Trail project is under way.
Work has begun to develop concepts to convert a 2.65-mile unused, elevated railway line to a multi-use linear park for recreational users and commuters. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has identified the Bloomingdale Trail as a priority to reach his goals of creating a world-class bike network, improving the pedestrian environment and creating new open space.
Public input will be a key component in creating plans to redevelop the Bloomingdale Line, which runs along Bloomingdale Avenue (approximately 1800 North) from Ashland to Ridgeway. CDOT is leading the design, engineering and construction of the project in close cooperation with the Chicago Park District.
Under CDOT’s direction, ARUP North America—which was selected through a competitive RFP process and comprises a consortium of local and national firms—will tackle several tasks in the coming months:
• Schedule public meetings, the first of which will occur this summer
• Inventory the condition of 37 viaducts along the line
• Lead a design charette in the fall
• Perform geotechnical and environmental studies
• Create design guidelines and a phasing plan
The schedule for all public meetings, once determined, will be posted on the CDOT web site.
Among ARUP’s past projects are the “Water Cube” aquatics center for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Its team of subcontractors includes many notable architectural and engineering firms.
Many important community partners are integral to the design process, including the Trust for Public Land (www.tpl.org) , Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail (www.bloomingdaletrail.org/) and Chicago Park District. The Trust, working with the city’s Department of Housing and Economic Development, has acquired parcels of land to serve as access parks and will facilitate public/private partnership activities. The non-profit Friends advocates for the project and is helping build community support. The Chicago Park District will own and maintain the Trail when it’s completed.
ARUP’s work is expected to be complete in late 2012. No construction schedule has been determined yet.
The City continues to pursue funding for the project, while the Trust and Friends are working to raise private funds. The full buildout is expected to cost between $50 million and $70 million, and the project may be phased as funding is made available. About $2.7 million has been secured thus far for phase I design.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by magomawe on
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I am for it. Our city needs more multi-use paths that make cycling the best way to travel around the city. Elevated paths work like a highway for cyclists.
However, I don't really understand why this project and the Kinzie lane costs so much money. $2.5 million a mile to put stripes on the road for separated lanes, $20 million a mile for paving rails to trails ... True the rails to trails requires fences, ramps, and everything else but the costs do seem ridiculous. If this could be done more cost effectively, a lot more people would be on board with these projects.
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Permalink Reply by Michelle S on
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I think you'll understand why the projected costs are so high if you look at the details as to what is being planned. On the Friends of Bloomingdale Trail website, go here to look at pictures of the “trail” now, and for Drawings and Plans illustrating the dream finished product. (Although these may be old documents, and not necessarily perfectly reflective of what’s currently planned? Anyone from FOBT on Chainlink?)
http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/photos/
The current infrastructure is in terrible shape, and the hoped-for result is pretty fancy. Making all the viaducts structurally safe, ripping out those miles of rail tracks, and making it all level will cost a lot, just to begin with. Then, the finished product is not just going to be asphalt or crushed gravel slapped down like suburban trails such as the Illinois Prairie Path. You can see the plans call for massive plantings and impressive (expensive) access structures.
magomawe said:I am for it. Our city needs more multi-use paths that make cycling the best way to travel around the city. Elevated paths work like a highway for cyclists.
However, I don't really understand why this project and the Kinzie lane costs so much money. $2.5 million a mile to put stripes on the road for separated lanes, $20 million a mile for paving rails to trails ... True the rails to trails requires fences, ramps, and everything else but the costs do seem ridiculous. If this could be done more cost effectively, a lot more people would be on board with these projects.
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Permalink Reply by jennifer james on
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I guess I think that kids need to be included in all of the new infrastructure that is coming to the city. Kids don't belong only in cars or only on the bus or the train. The 8-80 rider model should be adapted here. The only thing holding my son back from riding the almost four miles to school is bad cycling infrastructure and terrible drivers. He is wise and old enough to ride otherwise. He shouldn't be left out of the new street plans for Chicago
Mike Zumwalt said:
A trail, a path, a dedicated lane will get more people to ride (hopefully) and children can ride this as they DON'T belong in the street.
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Permalink Reply by igz on
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is there any word when the property would actually be purchased from Canada Pacific in the first place? would it be purchased at all unless there is full funding for the complete project? cant the city just take it at this point? imminent domain kinda thing? is CPR at all interested in selling it? they dont use it, right?
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Permalink Reply by Night Owl on
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CPR owns it, but they are willing to sell the land to the city for $1 because they want to be rid of the liability for it. I think the city hasn't pulled the trigger on it because they don't want to be in the same position that CPR currently is in, liability wise. Funding might be an issue down the road, but it won't be with land acquisition.
iggi said:
is there any word when the property would actually be purchased from Canada Pacific in the first place? would it be purchased at all unless there is full funding for the complete project? cant the city just take it at this point? imminent domain kinda thing? is CPR at all interested in selling it? they dont use it, right?
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Permalink Reply by Duppie on
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I have used this type of intersection in West Seattle (Alaska & California). It is neat indeed to be able to use the crosswalk without any cars moving.
Downside is that the average waiting time for pedestrians will be longer. It will be interesting to see whether time challenged Chicago pedestrians will have the decency to wait for their turn. I'm not too optimistic in that respect.Michelle said:
I'm so glad to read all the entries in support of the BT, as I was worried that the "we" used by clp was speaking for Chainlink participants in general.
Today I woke up to find that Trib columnist Barbara Brotman wrote a glowing column describing her experience riding the protected bike lanes in NYC, and Sun-Times reporter Fran Spielman has a prominent story about how CDOT is considering "scramble" crossings for pedestrians, with plenty of quotes about road diets and how the streets need to be shared by all. Nice way to start the week!
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related showcase of an elevated park in NYC...
a good glimpse of what the bloomingdale park could be could be
http://weburbanist.com/2011/06/15/high-hopes-turn-man-made-structur...
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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The High Line sets a great example for Bloomingdale.
iggi said:
related showcase of an elevated park in NYC...
a good glimpse of what the bloomingdale park could be could be
http://weburbanist.com/2011/06/15/high-hopes-turn-man-made-structur...
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Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on
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Except for the fact that bicycles are prohibited on the High Line.
Anne Alt said:The High Line sets a great example for Bloomingdale.
iggi said:related showcase of an elevated park in NYC...
a good glimpse of what the bloomingdale park could be could be
http://weburbanist.com/2011/06/15/high-hopes-turn-man-made-structur...
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The High Line is a great example of urban redevelopment. But a great example for Bloomingdale? Hardly.
It is a park, not a trail. Bicycles are not allowed, so it doesn't form a convenient connection between neighborhoods. And it got bankrolled by wealthy New Yorkers. I don't see that happen with the Bloomingdale trail
If anything, the High Line is comparable to Millenium Park: a high concept, well designed public park with a lot of private money to pay for expensive architects and public art.
Anne Alt said:
The High Line sets a great example for Bloomingdale.
iggi said:related showcase of an elevated park in NYC...
a good glimpse of what the bloomingdale park could be could be
http://weburbanist.com/2011/06/15/high-hopes-turn-man-made-structur...
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Unfortunately, the High Line is forbidden for bicyclists, inline skates, and skateboards. I think a great inspiration for the B Trail is the Promenade Plantee in Paris, which is pedestrian-only for a segment, but then is open to all. Check out the pictures in this website if you are unfamiliar with it.
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The first community meeting to get input on the plan for the Bloomingdale Trail will be on September 8th. I added it to events, or you can see the details on the Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail website.
There was an article about the BT recently here in Huff Po.
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