Part of Lakefront Trail closed as work begins to create separate paths

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Part of Chicago's Lakefront Trail is closed Monday and while it may be an inconvenience for many, the city says it's a matter of safety.

The closure is part of a larger plan by the Chicago Park District to create separate paths along the full length of the 18-mile Lakefront Trail

The Lakefront Trail is always packed with people enjoying the view, but with thousands of people using it each day, things can get a little congested.

"I'm always looking around making sure I don't trip on a bike or a bike is not trying to get past me," said runner Maria Heskin.

The city is about to change all of that, using money from a large donation. The path will be split in two, one for pedestrians, and another for bikers, eventually, for all 18 miles of the Lakefront Trail.

"I also bike and run, so there are times I want to zoom through and not have to worry about strollers and people crossing paths so I think it will be great," said Allen Tieri, who uses the trail daily.

The Chicago Area Runners Association is advising the Park District through the planning process, and even has to monitor detour plans as they move forward.

"We have a training year round, especially in the summer the biggest training program the country, so we have to make sure we know when the trails are closed, or route are going in different ways, we can notify all of our pace group leaders so our running groups are going the appropriate way," said Alona Banai of the Chicago Area Runners Association.

Monday, the Lakefront Trail is closed east of Lake Shore Drive between Diversey and North avenues for construction. Work is also taking place from Oak to Ohio streets. There will be marked detours to help people maneuver around the work.

There will also be construction updates through the length of the project, which ends sometime next year.

For more information on the project and detours, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lakefront-trail.