Possible roadblock in sale of UP land for Weber trail, but talks continue

by BRIAN NADIG

The City of Chicago reportedly has run into a possible roadblock in acquiring land from Union Pacific Railroad for the planned Weber Spur bike and pedestrian trail on the Northwest Side.

"Unfortunately (Union Pacific) pulled out of the deal at the last moment," Alderman Margaret Laurino said at the May 16 meeting of the Sauganash Community Association. She said that Mayor Rahm Emanuel is working to help restart negotiations on the sale of the land and that she hopes the roadblock is temporary. Laurino later added that talks with Union Pacific are continuing.

Laurino said that it is not clear why the railroad dropped out of negotiations and that it is especially puzzling given the company already sold a portion of the land to the Village of Lincolnwood that is needed for the trail. The trail would run in a northeasterly direction through Mayfair and Sauganash and the north suburbs.

An update on the trail will be given at the "Trails and Bikeways" workshop which Laurino is hosting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Gompers Park fieldhouse, 4222 W. Foster Ave. The workshop will feature a discussion on improving access to existing and planned trails.