The Chainlink

Bike Path Between Elston and Lawrence?

I was on Google Maps looking for a better route from Niles to the Irish-American Heritage Center and they showed a mysterious bike route running from Lawrence to Elston OVER Cicero and I94. Zooming in, I could see that it was an abandoned railroad right-of-way, but I could see no way of getting to  it, other than possibly via the FirstAmBank lot. Ended up driving that way this evening and nosed around and saw no way of getting to it at all. Is it really a bike route as Google insists? Is there a secret to using it? Do I have to wait for Durin's Day?

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Lee on September 18, 2012 at 5:59am

I believe that section of track is still very active with Metra and Amtrack. there is a weber spur that runs from elston to almost Lincoln town center at Touhy and McCormack, but I don't belive it is ready yet. the weber spur also will touch the saganash trail( which goes from Bryn mawr to Devon, soon to be extended to Touhy near Lincoln)

Permalink Reply by David Lieb on September 18, 2012 at 6:07am
Hmm, the Google Maps satellite view plainly shows that the tracks cease just north of Wilson. Perhaps those are ghost trains? ;-)
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 18, 2012 at 6:56am

That's the old Weber Spur - runs from where you spotted it next to the expressway by Wilson up to Pratt.  With a little help, it could continue to Touhy.  I don't know if there's a time frame for paving it, but tracks were removed from that section a few years ago.  South of Wilson, the adjacent tracks are still active with train traffic.

Permalink Reply by Richard on September 18, 2012 at 8:44am

This one?

Permalink Reply by David Lieb on September 18, 2012 at 8:54am

It would be a nice way to get through some of that area, especially if they were to take it all the way from Wilson to Touhy or even connect it to the Valley Line Trail to Devon. Biggest problem I see is that it runs over Lawrence and Elston (and probably more), making the connections a trifle "challenging" for a bicycle, although KMart might be convinced to build a ramp to their store... OTOH, that same issue makes it more valuable as a bike trail, since it eliminates a number of stoplights. 

Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on September 18, 2012 at 9:05am

I believe CDOT has a consultant hired to work on the design of the Weber Spur trail, but it only goes from Elston to Devon.  Alderman Arena was interested in extending it south to Lawrence though.

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on September 18, 2012 at 9:05am

Does the dashed purple indicate a proposed trail? I'd love an extension to the Sauganash trail; as of now I have to wind through a maze of side streets to get up to Touhy. I'd like the simplicity and safety of a trail, though.

Permalink Reply by David Lieb on September 18, 2012 at 9:09am

With, perhaps, a spur over through LaBagh Woods and Forest Glen Woods to connect to the North Branch Trail? Dream big while we are at it ;-)

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 18, 2012 at 10:16am

Exactly right, as described by some of the other commenters here.  The Weber Spur has been proposed as a trail, although support for various sections varies.  There have been rumors of support from Lincolnwood to extend it as least as far as Pratt, possibly Touhy.  If Alderman Arena supports taking is all the way to Lawrence, that would be outstanding.  I think it would be well used.

Jim S said:

Does the dashed purple indicate a proposed trail? I'd love an extension to the Sauganash trail; as of now I have to wind through a maze of side streets to get up to Touhy. I'd like the simplicity and safety of a trail, though.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 18, 2012 at 11:03am
Permalink Reply by David Lieb on September 18, 2012 at 11:08am

Thanks, Duppie. They don't directly mention the concept of how to get to it, but I guess the omission is a bit of an answer in itself. 

Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 18, 2012 at 12:34pm

At Bryn Mawr, you can access the Weber Spur going southbound. (as well as northbound). Whenever I pass by there, I always see people on the trail around there.

You may want to start from there and see how far south you can get.

David Lieb said:

Thanks, Duppie. They don't directly mention the concept of how to get to it, but I guess the omission is a bit of an answer in itself. 

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