Is the new Halsted Street bridge a scary ride?

The Illinois Department of Transportation likes big bridges, even on two-lane Chicago streets. The beautiful new Halsted Street bridge features wide sidewalks, bicycle lanes and a bike-friendly concrete surface. But does the new four-lane configuration turn what would otherwise be a very bikeable bridge into a scary ride?: 
http://gridchicago.com/2012/does-the-new-tied-arch-bridge-on-halsted-encourage-speeding/

Keep moving forward,

John Greenfield

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on June 3, 2012 at 1:01pm

I've ridden the bridge a couple times recently and I've felt safe, but only because there wasn't any traffic on the bridge really to speak of.  I guess it doesn't make a lot of sense to have the cyclist surrounded by two lanes of traffic does it?  In this picture I don't see any obvious signs announcing to drivers and bikers that this is a bike lane, nor do I remember seeing any on my trips across it.  If that's the case then I hope that's something that would change soon, as well.    

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on June 3, 2012 at 3:33pm

I, too, noticed the lack of signage and pavement symbols. 

I think the press conference was held prematurely. The bridge and the street are not ready for traffic. 


Zoetrope said:

In this picture I don't see any obvious signs announcing to drivers and bikers that this is a bike lane, nor do I remember seeing any on my trips across it.  If that's the case then I hope that's something that would change soon, as well.    

Permalink Reply by Cody Wolcott on June 3, 2012 at 4:46pm

They should narrow the whole stretch.  I don't quite understand why the city wants to pay for all of those extra maintenance costs later on when most of Halsted has two lanes anyway.  Even Halsted next to the loop has two lanes in many parts.  Really, it seems like the engineers behind this one just wanted cars to get through this area as fast as possible. 

Permalink Reply by Mark on June 4, 2012 at 3:13am

Start the redesign by getting rid of one of the southbound lanes.  There is no benefit in having two SB lanes over the bridge.

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on June 4, 2012 at 4:18am

Eliminating a travel lane in both southbound and northbound directions and replacing it with a curbside, separated bike lane (buffered, with flex posts, something). A center median would absorb remaining width. 

I wish I had the fancy drawing software the engineers use, and the knowhow to quickly draw this. 


h' said:

Let's start here-- Steven, can you give a basic outline of what it is we'd be asking for?

Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on June 5, 2012 at 7:29am

I think you're right.  I have talked to non and novice cyclists who think that bike lanes "in the middle of the street" (I've heard Madison Street in the Loop mentioned as well) just seems insane.  If one of the goals of bike lanes is to encourage new cyclists, then this design fails.  Novice cyclists will not feel safe unless there is separation from motor vehicle traffic.  Just the other day I was riding in the new Elston Avenue bike lane which I thought was wonderful.  I was shocked to see someone riding on the sidewalk right next to the lane.  Many people just do not feel safe riding with cars and trucks.

John Greenfield said:

My sense is that for experienced riders like us, the solid bridge decking makes up for the faster car traffic and floating bike lane. However, I think the new configuration might be a dealbreaker for novice riders who would have been comfortable on a solid-deck, two-lane bridge with bike lanes.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on June 5, 2012 at 7:40am

Can anyone give us some info on who might be best to contact about this?  Would that be CDOT?  

A floating lane on a bridge with no obvious signage is a disaster waiting to happen, and people here have already pointed out that the configuration is confusing enough to cause some to ride in the wrong direction in the lane.   

Permalink Reply by John Greenfield on June 5, 2012 at 9:47am

Yes. CDOT tells me the best way to get input to the CDOT Bike Program about this bridge and other issues related to existing infrastructure is to call 311 or email cdotnews@cityofchicago.org - both of these are tracked, which ensures that you'll get some kind of response.

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on June 5, 2012 at 11:15am

Meet me here at 5:45 PM Tuesday afternoon to discuss the bridge lane design with me. I'll be proposing an alternative design in the coming weeks. (Sorry for the late notice.)

An issue with 311, that Open 311 may correct, is that you cannot submit photographs with your report. 

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on June 5, 2012 at 12:18pm

Thanks, John.

John Greenfield said:

Yes. CDOT tells me the best way to get input to the CDOT Bike Program about this bridge and other issues related to existing infrastructure is to call 311 or email cdotnews@cityofchicago.org - both of these are tracked, which ensures that you'll get some kind of response.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Kim on June 8, 2012 at 9:19am

I rode it last night during rush hour without even realizing that there was a car lane to my right.  Is that supposed to be a right turn lane?  Is there a sign somewhere I missed?  Yeah I am not down with the configuration; it needs to be changed.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on June 11, 2012 at 6:08am

I rode by (not on) the other day and it looks like they've added some nice road markings, at least on the non-floating lane side.  

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