Chicago Opens Grace Street Neighborhood Greenway, Connecting RiverRun to Lakefront Trail

Chicago has officially opened the Grace Street Neighborhood Greenway, a new three-mile route designed to offer a safer and more convenient cycling experience between the 312 RiverRun and the Lakefront Trail. The project, largely completed, aims to enhance active transportation options in the city’s North Center and surrounding wards.

Project Genesis and Community Involvement

The concept for the Grace Street Neighborhood Greenway originated from an article published in Streetsblog Chicago in October 2020, envisioning a low-stress eastbound bikeway stretching from the Chicago River to Lake Michigan. This initial idea was inspired by the Chicago Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) installation of a contraflow bike lane on a segment of Grace Street. Subsequently, the Graceland Greenway plan was announced in summer 2025, with officials acknowledging the influence of community ideas and emails in its development.

Despite some initial localized opposition and commentary regarding the project’s aesthetics and materials, CDOT has provided assurances about its adherence to modern safety standards. Erica Schroeder, a CDOT spokesperson, confirmed that the greenway is designed to meet National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) recommendations for neighborhood greenways and contraflow bike lanes.

Street Design and Safety Features

The Grace Street Neighborhood Greenway spans approximately three miles, connecting the 312 RiverRun near Campbell Avenue to the Lakefront Trail. A key feature of the greenway is the incorporation of contraflow bike lanes, allowing cyclists to travel eastbound against the prevailing traffic flow on one-way streets.

According to Schroeder, the majority of the newly installed contraflow lanes are six feet wide, exceeding the NACTO recommended minimum of five feet for these types of facilities. A short segment of five-foot-wide contraflow lane exists near Grace/Southport, as does an existing five-foot contraflow block installed in 2020 between Damen and Lincoln Avenues. The entire corridor will be signed for a 20 mph speed limit.

“The Grace Street Neighborhood Greenway is substantially complete, with some punch list items remaining along the corridor, including precast curbs that will be added to the intersection of Grace/Southport,” Schroeder stated. “The entire corridor will be signed at 20 mph and the vast majority of the three new segments of contraflow lanes were all designed at six feet wide.”

She added, “I’ll note there is one short (125′ long) segment of five-foot contraflow just west of Grace/Southport, before it widens to six feet. There was also one existing block of contraflow (on Grace between Damen and Lincoln) that was installed in 2020 which is also five feet wide. But any way you slice it, the entire project is at or above the five feet recommended width for contraflow lanes.”

Access and Connectivity Challenges

While the greenway offers a significant improvement for cyclists, some access points and connections present challenges that require careful navigation or further improvements.

The western terminus at Campbell Avenue and Irving Park Road is an unsignalized intersection with high-speed traffic. CDOT is reportedly being consulted about potential safety enhancements at this location. For cyclists wishing to connect to the 312 RiverRun north of Grace, a route utilizing the multi-use path through Revere Park and crossing Irving Park Road at the signalized Rockwell Avenue is recommended. This involves a short stretch of sidewalk riding or walking to access Horner Park and the river path.

Connections to the 312 RiverRun south of Grace also involve navigating under Addison Street and a short section of sidewalk riding or walking between Grace and Bradley Place.

At the eastern end, the route directs cyclists to use a curb cut and the sidewalk on the east side of Inner Lake Shore Drive for a short distance to access the DLSD underpass to the Lakefront Trail. This section can be tricky during busy periods, and walking bicycles may be advised.

The pavement quality on Grace Street, particularly west of Southport Avenue, is noted as being less than ideal, though repaving is anticipated in the future.

Community Reception and Future Outlook

Early observations suggest the greenway is being well-received and utilized by the public. During a recent evening ride, the bikeway reportedly saw excellent use, indicating its potential to become a popular active travel corridor.

Despite some initial critiques, the project is largely viewed as a success in making cycling a more convenient and enjoyable option in Chicago. CDOT’s commitment to meeting NACTO standards and addressing remaining issues suggests a continued focus on improving active transportation infrastructure.

Key facts
Project Name: Grace Street Neighborhood Greenway
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Length: Approximately 3 miles
Key Features: Contraflow bike lanes, 20 mph speed limit, connection to RiverRun and Lakefront Trail
Lead Agency: Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)

The Grace Street Neighborhood Greenway represents a tangible improvement in urban mobility, demonstrating a commitment to creating safer and more accessible routes for cyclists within the city. It highlights the evolving approach to street design, prioritizing active transportation and neighborhood connectivity. The project’s development also underscores the value of community input and specialist media in shaping urban infrastructure.

Source: Streetsblog Chicago, https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/06/05/amazing-grace-take-a-virtual-ride-from-the-312-riverrun-to-the-lakefront-trail-on-the-new-grace-street-neighborhood-greenway

Key facts