Orange Markings on Ohio ramp @ LFT - any idea what is going to happen?

The ramp at Ohio (where the ramp narrows between the curve in the "park", and the flat area between LSD and the water, is marked up with orange spray paint. 

Does anyone know if this means they are going to tear that up stretch? I'm optimistic that if it is reconfigured, it will be swift and painless and give everyone more room.

Thanks!  Ann

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on May 1, 2014 at 3:39am

I believe they have started work on the Navy Pier flyover. I rode to the museum campus on Sunday and noticed the markings, the fencing, and the detour.

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 1, 2014 at 3:40am

If I'm not mistaken, a reconfiguration of that bit is part of the flyover plans. But I have no idea what they're going to do there when/if they tear it up. I am virtually certain it will be a confusing headache that will last longer than would seem necessary, if the routing of the current "detour" is any indication.

Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on May 1, 2014 at 3:44am

Thanks, I've heard about "flyover" but I guess I had to look it up - will do!

Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on May 1, 2014 at 3:56am

Okay, now I feel like an idiot I knew about this (except the details, I just ride and act happy, and forget to read or retain information)

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 1, 2014 at 4:36am

Yeah, I ride through there every morning, so I've tried to follow what they're doing very closely.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way through the detour. It doesn't seem like anyone wants to take the "true" detour, not that it's precisely clear from the signage where it's supposed to be. I don't blame them; having gone through the "true" detour a couple of times, it looks like it'll collect plenty of glass and debris as time goes on.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on May 1, 2014 at 4:37am

That detour is crap.  For now just avoid the narrow sidewalk by using the street.  Most of the lanes head west but there's one lane going to Lake Point's garage that you can take.  The only problem is the curb you have hop to get back on the trail.

Simon Phearson said:

If I'm not mistaken, a reconfiguration of that bit is part of the flyover plans. But I have no idea what they're going to do there when/if they tear it up. I am virtually certain it will be a confusing headache that will last longer than would seem necessary, if the routing of the current "detour" is any indication.

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 1, 2014 at 5:02am

The awfulness of the detour is truly shocking and a good indication of how far from being a bike-friendly city Chicago is (as if there's any doubt remaining after yesterday's city council vote). It seems like no one planning these things has ever ridden a bike.

The solution you propose strikes me as a good, direct one - it honestly hadn't occurred to me, but that is definitely the straightest line through the construction. Unfortunately... I don't know how to hop curbs. That's a skill I've just never forced myself to learn. Maybe I should spend some time this weekend to see if I can figure it out.

Tricolor said:

That detour is crap.  For now just avoid the narrow sidewalk by using the street.  Most of the lanes head west but there's one lane going to Lake Point's garage that you can take.  The only problem is the curb you have hop to get back on the trail.

Simon Phearson said:

If I'm not mistaken, a reconfiguration of that bit is part of the flyover plans. But I have no idea what they're going to do there when/if they tear it up. I am virtually certain it will be a confusing headache that will last longer than would seem necessary, if the routing of the current "detour" is any indication.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on May 1, 2014 at 8:08am

I wouldn't call it bike unfriendly specifically; it's kind of unfriendly for everyone using that sidewalk.  Very narrow for the number of people using it, too steep for wheelchairs, etc.

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 1, 2014 at 8:59am

I was referring more to the "true" bike detour, which runs along the north side of Illinois, on the path on the east side of Streeter Dr., and then through the park via a path with two very sharp turns on narrow sidewalks. If you're honest, you're hitting four lights to get through there, and the surfaces you're going over have some nasty grooves if you're not hitting them right. 

You're right about the sidewalk going along and into the south side of Grand and the blind corner where it intersects the "former" LFP - that's not good for anyone. But bikes aren't supposed to be going down there during the construction (though lots of them still are).

Tricolor said:

I wouldn't call it bike unfriendly specifically; it's kind of unfriendly for everyone using that sidewalk.  Very narrow for the number of people using it, too steep for wheelchairs, etc.

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on May 1, 2014 at 10:03am

Thanks for posting this!  

Just wanted to share some advocacy that's been going on around the detour:

We here at Active Trans have heard from a lot of folks and personally experienced a lot of what you guys are talking about on this thread.  A few weeks ago we compiled and shared comments/suggested improvements with CDOT on this detour shortly after it went into place.  You can out what we sent them here: http://activetrans.org/blog/jmerrell/how-improve-lakefront-trail-de...

We are continuing to monitor the situation and are pushing for more and better improvements, especially since this detour will be in place for a while.  

One thing everyone should do is call or email the Navy Pier Flyover project team with your comments: questions@navypierflyover.com or 312.464.0241.  

This is definitely one of those cases where individual voices can make a difference - so drop them a line and share your thoughts!  

We're hoping to meet and learn more about what's being done, so we'll post an update to the blog a activetrans.org once we learn more.  If you keep encountering issues, be sure to notify the project team and don't hesitate to drop me a line at jim@activetrans.org so we can add your observations and concerns to our own.

Thanks,

Jim - Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on May 1, 2014 at 10:15am

Thanks everyone for the information, and Jim for the update.  I get off the LFT at Ohio, normally.  So I've been alternating between the stairs, in order to use the underpass, or going all the way to Grand and going West on Grand.  While I like the bike lane on Grand, getting from the detour to the street is terrible, and I have to go down a curb (I can't even go down curbs, Tricolor) or down the sidewalk on the North Side of Grand east of LSD. 

As the pedestrian traffic explodes shortly, I see further issues - coming up from the stairs at the Ohio underpass, with the construction fence right up to the path, I foresee tons of unknowing pedestrians coming up the stairs and walking right into the bikes.

Thanks Jim I will email questions@navypierflyover.com as you mentioned in order to let them know my concerns.

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 1, 2014 at 11:46am

What I typically do, going south, is go to the intersection of Grand and Streeter and enter Grand through the crosswalk when it has the light or traffic is otherwise clear. It's a bit out of the way, but it introduces you into traffic safely and smoothly and the pedestrian flow is a bit less tightly constrained.


Ann Sch 9.3 said:

Thanks everyone for the information, and Jim for the update.  I get off the LFT at Ohio, normally.  So I've been alternating between the stairs, in order to use the underpass, or going all the way to Grand and going West on Grand.  While I like the bike lane on Grand, getting from the detour to the street is terrible, and I have to go down a curb (I can't even go down curbs, Tricolor) or down the sidewalk on the North Side of Grand east of LSD. 

As the pedestrian traffic explodes shortly, I see further issues - coming up from the stairs at the Ohio underpass, with the construction fence right up to the path, I foresee tons of unknowing pedestrians coming up the stairs and walking right into the bikes.

Thanks Jim I will email questions@navypierflyover.com as you mentioned in order to let them know my concerns.

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