Mayor Rahm Emanuel is wasting no time making good on his campaign promise to make Chicago a world-class cycling city. Just 24 days after his swearing-in ceremony, Chicago has its first bike box.
The new mayor and his department of transportation head, Gabe Klein, formerly of DC, held a press conference Tuesday at the site of the Windy City's first separated bike lane: Kinzie Street. There they announced plans to build 100 miles of separated lanes during Emanuel's first term.
Steve Vance at Network blog Steven Can Plan has been covering the story as it emerges.
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) installed [a bike box] Tuesday morning, on Day 2 of the Kinzie Street protected bike lane project (read about Day 1). I asked a CDOT worker if it will be painted green or another color and they replied it would probably would. It appears that the design for the project is still being done while construction proceeds. I expect a section of the next block will be worked on tomorrow.
Emanuel had originally promised to install two separated bike lanes by the end of his first 100 days in office, but he appears to be on pace to meet that goal and then some. Emanuel told a CBS reporter yesterday he wants to make Chicago the bike-friendliest city in the country. Exciting news for Chicago and cycling advocates everywhere.
Elsewhere on the Network today: New Jersey Future explains how the state's innovative Urban Transit Hub tax credit has helped make Newark a magnet for business; Transit in Utah takes on the claim that long-distance Amtrak routes are responsible for the service's unprofitability; and Cap'n Transit explains why New York City's popular High Line park won't work just anywhere.
The Mayor's Office says the money will fund "improvements for people walking and bicycling on existing streets and paths surrounding and crossing the corridor."
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