Construction on the Navy Pier Flyover -- intended to provide a safer route for lakefront trail users -- is set to begin this spring, according to city officials.
One of the most congested segments of the lakefront trail is near Navy Pier. The flyover will be a 16-foot-wide overpass protected from Lake Shore Drive.
That means trail users will have more space. Cyclists and runners on the path won't have to wait at traffic lights to cross Grand Avenue or Illinois Street. They'll be able to bypass vehicular traffic entering and leaving Navy Pier.
The project, using federal and state funding, will be built in three phases and is expected to be completed in 2018, according to the city's flyover website. The first phase is budgeted at $22.5 million, the city said.
The first phase beginning in spring will go from Jane Addams Park to Ogden Slip. The second phase will continue through DuSable Park and the third phase will end at the South side of the Chicago River bridge.
The lakefront trail will be open to users during construction, but there will be detour routes.
Meanwhile, northbound upper Lake Shore Drive will be reduced by one lane between the Navy Pier on and off-ramps. The Navy Pier off-ramp will be down to one lane.
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