CHICAGO - Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi joined 50^th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein, community representatives, advocates and governmental partners for the ribbon cutting for the new Lincoln Village Pedestrian Bridge, a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge connecting the east and west sides of the North Shore Channel Trail in Lincoln Village. The new bridge constructed by the administration of Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot eliminates the need for users of the multi-use path to use Lincoln Avenue to cross from the east side of the North Shore Channel to the west side.  

“The Lincoln Village Bridge improves safety and the recreational experience for pedestrians, joggers, bicycle-riders and anyone pushing a stroller or using a wheelchair,” CDOT Commissioner Biagi said. “By connecting the existing shared-use paths on the east and west banks, we have closed the final gap in the 6.7-mile North Shore Channel Trail at a time when safe outdoor space for exercise and relaxation has never been in greater demand.” 

"Residents of the 50th Ward and the City of Chicago finally have a beautiful and fully connected bike path," said Alderman Debra Silverstein. "Cyclists can now enjoy a safe and comfortable walk, ride or run on the trail all the way from Lawrence Avenue into the northern suburbs." 

The 16-foot-wide, 180-foot-long Lincoln Village Bridge provides pedestrian and bicycle access across the North Shore Channel at Hood Avenue (between Peterson and Granville). The bridge is the final link in the creation of a continuous multi-use trail connecting four municipalities along the North Shore Channel.  There was already a continuous 1.7 mile trail running through parks along the east bank of the North Branch and North Shore Channel from just north of Lawrence Avenue to Lincoln Avenue at Kedzie. The new span connects to Bernard Stone Park and the trail on the west bank of the North Shore Channel, with an additional five miles of trails on the west bank at Lincoln Village and continuing on into Lincolnwood, Skokie, and Evanston.   

The weathered steel truss bridge was manufactured off-site in Alexandria, MN, by ConTech Engineered Solutions and shipped in eight pieces to the site by truck where it was assembled and set into place. 

The structure was designed by the engineering firm Civiltech; the prime contractor was McHugh; and the construction manager for CDOT was DB Sterlin.  

“The completion of the Lincoln Village Bridge is cause for celebration. It's exciting to see this final gap closed in the North Channel Trail. We thank the community advocates, elected officials, and agency staff who worked for many years to complete this project. The trail brings together all the communities it touches and is an important step in making walking and biking more accessible to every resident of those communities, said Julia Gerasimenko, Advocacy Manager, Active Transportation Alliance. “We look forward to the day when all of our regions’ trail gaps are closed and we have a true connected regional trail network. The $3.4 million North Shore Channel Bridge was funded through a combination of federal and local dollars, including funding from the state-administered, federally-funded Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program and the Open Space Impact Fee program.  In addition to constructing the bridge itself, the project also installed fencing and lighting along both approaches to the bridge, removed overgrown vegetation and included new trees and landscaping.” 

Underway further south on the North Side inland waterway is the 312 RiverRun project which will create a two-mile trail connecting Horner Park, California Park and Clark Park.  That project includes the Riverview Bridge, a 1,000-foot pedestrian and bike bridge, which opened last year and crosses over the North Branch of the Chicago River and under the Addison Road Bridge. It provides a connection from Clark Park to California Park.  Under construction is the Irving Park Road Bridge and Multi-Use Path, which will create a new pedestrian and bike path under Irving Park Road along the west bank of the North Branch. That project will provide an off-street connection from California to Horner Park, while also fully reconstructing the Irving Park Road Bridge.  

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