BRONZEVILLE — Mayor Rahm Emanuel broke ground Monday morning on the construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over south Lake Shore Drive.
The bridge — touted by the mayor as one of a series of projects designed to breathe new life into Bronzeville — is designed to increase lakefront access on the South Side and will have ramps to accommodate bicycles, wheel chairs and emergency vehicles.
"From the new Ellis Park Arts and Recreation Center to the new Mariano’s grocery store, the future of Bronzeville is bright," Emanuel said in a statement. "The new bridge will connect Bronzeville residents to our lakefront and builds on the great momentum of investments throughout the community."
The bike and pedestrian bridge at 41st Street is expected to be complete in late 2018.
"Today’s groundbreaking of yet another magnificent pedestrian bridge at 41st Street underscores the significant strides we are making to ensure all residents have access to the lakefront,” Ald. Sophia King (4th) said. "Similar to the recently opened pedestrian bridge at 35th Street, also located in the 4th Ward, this bridge is an investment in our community stimulating job growth and recreational opportunities."
The bridge will connect Lake Park Crescent, 348 new units of mixed-income housing built by the Chicago Housing Authority, and its neighboring park with the Oakwood/41st Street Beach, recently created as part of the Lake Michigan shoreline revetment reconstruction, officials said.
In March, construction of the bridge was put on hold after state officials declined to contribute an additional $2 million to the project after it came in over budget.
RELATED: HERE'S WHAT THE NEW 41ST BRIDGE WILL LOOK LIKE
An $18.7 million federal grant will cover the bulk of the cost of the bridge, which totals $28.7 million, officials said
Once complete, the new bridge at 41st Street will join the 35th Street bridge that opened in November.
The remaining four bridges – the vehicle bridges at 31st and 39th streets, and the pedestrian bridges at 41st and 43rd streets – will be complete by the end of 2019.
