The Chainlink

Wells Street bridge closing for one year

It starts in December:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/13758202-418/wells-street-bridge-resto...

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on October 30, 2012 at 6:53pm

Thanks for that link!  Yes, I have an overblown distaste for open grate bridges, even with my 35mm tires.  And LaSalle is horrible.  

Some day, we might have the two-way cycle track on Dearborn ;-).  Right now, it has one of those open grate bridges that I find very disconcerting.

122782_ said:

Chicago Bicycle Program's FB says cyclists will be detoured to Clark - bridge has newly-installed plates! 

http://www.facebook.com/chicagobikes

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on October 30, 2012 at 7:26pm

Lisa, I feel that our Dutchi tires are just fine on the open grates. I ride on the right (undecked) side of the Dearborn bridge sometimes, and it's OK.

My larger concern is that the "detour" starting next week is to simply direct bicyclists onto Clark Street, which has NO facilities at all for bicyclists. At least on Wells, it's only two narrow lanes of moving motor vehicles, and we now have the signage and symbols, which helps. Presumably Clark will remain three-four lanes of fast-moving motor vehicles, one lane for parked cars, and zilch for bicyclists. This is a huge step backwards.

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on October 30, 2012 at 7:28pm

We also posted some info about the detour, new Clark bridge plates and Dearborn protected bike lane here:

http://www.activetrans.org/blog/lcrandell/bike-detour-during-wells-...

Thanks,

Ethan Spott, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on October 30, 2012 at 7:29pm

Copy/paste for easier access:

Bike detour during Wells Street bridge reconstruction


On Monday, Nov. 5, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will close the Wells Street bridge over the Chicago River for a year for a major reconstruction project. How will this impact you?

Kinzie Street and Wells are two of the busiest bike commuting routes in the city, and many people biking into the Loop on these streets use the Wells Street bridge. Since navigating downtown streets by bike can already be intimidating for many people, a good detour is vitally important.

The detour for biking will be east on Kinzie Street, turning south onto Clark Street to cross the Chicago River. CDOT has installed bridge plates on the Clark Street bridge to make the crossing safer for biking. Cars and buses will be routed off of Wells further north, which should make the left turn onto Kinzie easier for people biking. CDOT has mapped out their detours for driving, biking and transit (view PDF map here).

We're also still awaiting construction on the protected bike lane on Dearborn Street later this year, which will provide a great alternative to Wells once it's completed.

People walking will also not be able to cross the river at Wells, and will be routed to the LaSalle Street and Clark Street bridges.

CTA trains will continue to run on the bridge, except for two nine-day service interruptions in the spring. CTA will provide alternative bus and rail service during those times.

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on October 30, 2012 at 7:47pm

I appreciate the information, Ethan and Lee, but then after we cross the river, then what? Clark is much, much worse than Wells. I don't think taking Wacker Drive back west to Wells is a great option either: Drivers speed like absolute maniacs on Wacker.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on October 30, 2012 at 7:54pm

Thanks, Ethan.  I am not holding my breath for Dearborn this year, but I am looking forward to it when it comes.  I hope there will be some signs to go along with those plates on Clark.  Although signs, plates, and $2.25 will get you on the "el", as I like to say.

Michelle, I ride the left side which dumps into the "bike lane" on Dearborn, and it is also open grate.  The bike can handle it, but I don't like it.  And when it rains, I really don't like it.  Sometimes, though, we have to do things we don't like ;-).

Permalink Reply by Katie on October 30, 2012 at 9:32pm

hmmmm....time to change my commute I guess.

Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on October 30, 2012 at 11:16pm

Is it me or do these two sentences in conjunction with one another cause anyone else pause for thought?

"CTA Brown Line and Purple Line/Evanston Express trains will still operate over the bridge, except during two separate nine-day periods next spring, in early March and late April..

The bridge's railings, bridge houses, major structural components and mechanical and electrical components will be replaced..crews will replace the trusses and all of the steel framing for the lower-level road and upper-level rail structure."

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on October 31, 2012 at 8:56am

Grid Chicago has an article and a picture of the plates on Clark.  This does not look like fun.

http://gridchicago.com/2012/wells-street-bridge-to-close-next-monda...

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 31, 2012 at 9:15am

The plates on the Clark St. bridge appear to be about the same width as the ones on Wells.

Lisa Curcio said:

Grid Chicago has an article and a picture of the plates on Clark.  This does not look like fun.

http://gridchicago.com/2012/wells-street-bridge-to-close-next-monda...

Permalink Reply by Mark on October 31, 2012 at 9:30am

The State St. bridge is concrete, but watch for the metal grid in the middle of the lanes on the south side of the bridge.  My favorite bridge is Wabash.  It is all concrete.  Kinzie intersects with State, but not Wabash.

Permalink Reply by JeffB on October 31, 2012 at 11:48am

I know.  The majority of the cars using the right lane on that bridge turn right at Wacker.  There will be a lot of right-hook potential.  Look out.

I didn't even notice these this morning because I typically take the lane before crossing due to the right-turners (also due to the bad pavement leading up to the bridge, which the article says will be repaired)

Lisa Curcio said:

Grid Chicago has an article and a picture of the plates on Clark.  This does not look like fun.

http://gridchicago.com/2012/wells-street-bridge-to-close-next-monda...

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