by BRIAN NADIG The installation of a new bike lane and three neighborhood greenways is scheduled to start this fall on Berteau Avenue, Long Avenue, Hutchinson Street and Central Avenue read story
Federal funds awarded for planned Weber Spur Trail on Chicago’s NW Side, as project delays continue
by BRIAN NADIG
An $850,000 federal grant has been awarded for the planned Weber Spur Trail on Chicago’s Northwest, but a timetable for the project’s construction remains unclear.
The entire project is estimated to cost $70 million, and the city reportedly has not yet acquired the former railroad right of way, which is controlled by Union Pacific Railroad.
A mile stretch of the Weber trail was built several years ago along former Union Pacific railroad right-of-way in Lincolnwood. However, the spur’s planned 1.7-mile stretch in Chicago that would run through parts of Sauganash, Peterson Park, Mayfair and Jefferson Park has been delayed for years.
The Chicago portion of the trail would start in the northeast at Devon and Springfield avenues and end in the southeast at Elston and Kimberly avenues. Plans have called for it to eventually extend to Lawrence and Cicero avenues.
“The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will provide a key link in the bicycle network and increase the safety of bicyclists by connecting the Sauganash Trail, North Shore Channel Trail, Elston Ave Spoke Route bike lane, FFPCC LaBagh Woods, North Branch Trail and surrounding communities,” U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-5) said in 2024.
Former 39th Ward alderman Margaret Laurino said before her retirement in 2019 that the city’s negotiations with Union Pacific did not seem to be going smoothly at times for reasons that were not clear.
The last update on the project was provided to Alderman Samantha Nugent (39th) in a letter from the city Department of Transportation on Dec. 10, 2024, according to an aldermanic spokesperson.
“CDOT is currently in the process of completing the Phase I preliminary engineering and environmental study. A Phase I study is a critical step in a trail project that allows existing condition assessments, concept development, land acquisition needs, cost estimating and public feedback,” the letter said.
The letter adds that funding from multiple sources would be needed to cover the projected $70 million pricetag.
Railroad tracks have been removed from where the Weber trail would be installed in Chicago, and for years many people use the unofficial pathway even though Union Pacific reportedly has a no trespassing policy for the area.
No Pop-Ups
Weekly Digital Edition
Read every story. Skip every pop-up.
Get the full weekly edition delivered to your inbox — no interruptions, no waiting. Just local news the way it was meant to be read.
Only $19.50/year — less than 38¢ a week
Subscribe Now
This is just part of today’s coverage. Get the full story - every article, every ad, every page. Subscribe now.
The Latest From Our Community
by BRIAN NADIG A portion of North Milwaukee Avenue was dedicated on Thursday, Aug. 20, to the memory of photoplay organist Dennis Wolkowicz, who once operated the Portage Theater, 4050 read story
by BRIAN NADIG Smartphone tracking technology, along with a roadway license plate reader and a police helicopter, all played a role in the recent arrest of two suspects accused of read story
by CHRISTOPHER BRINCKERHOFF A new Chicago Landmark plaque tells the history of the Phebe and John Gray House in Old Irving Park, but the homeowners decided there was more of read story
Labor Day Weekend celebration brings major artists from Poland, Chicago favorites, cultural performances, movies, hands-on activities, the Golden Riders Globe of Death and entertainment for every generation. The following was read story
by BRIAN NADIG After more than 5 years of no increases in the standard student instructional fee at Taft High School, the price is finally going up — but only read story
Browse by Category
No Pop-Ups
Weekly Digital Edition
Read every story.
Skip every pop-up.
No pop-up ads — ever. Just stories, the way they were meant to be read
Full weekly edition delivered to your inbox every week — no waiting, no missing issues
Support local journalism and help keep our community connected
Only $19.50/year
That's less than 38¢ a week
Purchase Digital Subscription
Paypal
$19.50
/year
You can submit your payment via Paypal with a Credit Card. You DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT.. Just click the “Paypal Subscribe” button below to iniate your secure payment! You will be directed to a Secure Paypal page in which you can pay with a Paypal account if you have one, or you can select "Pay with Debit or Credit Cardt" option below and process your payment via credit card.
Venmo
$19.50
/year
You can submit payment of $19.50 for a 1 year subscription to Nadig Newspapers' Venmo account using this link. Please include the email address in the comment/note section that you would like the digital subscription sent to.