Chicago to add concrete barriers to all protected bike lanes by end of 2023

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it will be installing new concrete curbs for all protected bike lanes by the end of 2023

CDOT will begin installing new pre-cast concrete curbs along Kinzie Street between and Milwaukee and Wells. By the end of the year, the city expects to add 25 miles of concrete-protected bike lanes.

"That concrete that they're gonna use and the design will keep cars out of parking from the bike lane, and keep everyone safer," said Amy Rynell, executive director of Active Transportation Alliance.

By the end of 2023, the city plans to upgrade all existing delineator-protected lanes to concrete curbs. It is the biggest expansion and upgrade of "low stress" bike routes in city history.

"It's a dream come true, because a lot of the bicyclists here want to feel safe," said Alderman James Cappleman. "More people are riding bicycles than ever before, and so that demands that we have safer measures for our bicyclists."

"Public safety is not only about our emergency response departments, it's also about creating infrastructure that makes the public way safer for all," said Mayor Lori Lightfoot in a statement.

Fifteen miles of existing protected bike lanes will be updated and 10 miles of new protected bike lanes will be added in 2022.

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"Barrier protected lanes are the best way to make biking a safer and more comfortable transportation option for everyone, and this year we're adding more than ever," said CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi. "Thanks to dedicated funding from Mayor Lightfoot's Chicago Works program, we're making unprecedented safety upgrades to our bikeways network and will continue working with community stakeholders on building neighborhood bike networks to ensure that Chicago is a city where everyone has the option to ride a bike."

CDOT will use a combination of traditional concrete curbs and pre-cast curbs.

In addition to Kinzie Street, roads that will get concrete barrier bike lanes in 2022 will be:

-Lake Street - Pulaski to Damen

-Logan Boulevard - Rockwell to Diversey

Milwaukee Avenue - Addison to Irving Park, Chicago to Division, and Kinzie to Ohio.

-Independence Boulevard - Douglas to Harrison

-Douglas Boulevard - Independence to Sacramento

-119th Street - Ashland to Halsted and Major Taylor Trail