r/chibike • u/Show_Kitchen • 12h ago
event Here’s how the Weber Spur meeting went:
TLDR: go to this page, read it, then fill out the response form with a simple “I support this project” https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/livable-streets-chicago/home/_LS_projects/weber-spur-trail.html
Last night Ald Sam Nugent and CDOT hosted a meeting on the Weber Spur plan at NEIU. Ald Nugent and her staff did not show up.
CDOT brought the project manager, the landscape architect, the engineer, and some others.
They gave a talk on the current status and the design. Funding is looking good but Land acquisition and getting the feds to do their part will be the main hurdles.
Expected timeline is 4-6 years to completion.
The Q&A quickly got derailed by a group of NIMBYs who wanted the Bryn Mawr bike lanes removed. CDOT was like, yeah wrong meeting dudes. They carried on for a while and one guy got asked into the hallway where he went apeshit. That was the highlight of the evening.
Some generally supportive Forest Preserve people voiced concerns over light pollution and excessive salting in the winter. They also offered to help identify native grasses and invasives.
Some generally supportive Mayfair neighbors expressed concern about crime and asked for increased resources in certain areas.
Most people were concerned about the at-grade crossing at Pulaski (edit). It is the primary flaw of the plan.
A train guy asked about future light rail. CDOT said it’s not likely.
A few people asked about activating space for teens and youth activities. One person brought up the DIY BMX park near Bryn Mawr and asked that it be preserved or enhanced for the sake of the youth.
There was only one person who appeared to be against the project- he claimed it was too expensive and seemed to indicate the money could be better spent on highway expansion. He asked for line-item-costs and CDOT declined. (For what it’s worth, this project is hella pricey - but worth it IMHO)
Worth noting the bozos who came to protest the bike lanes were not against the Weber Spur. Some even voiced support.
The project manager said the best way to support the project is to write “I support this project” on the official form, here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/livable-streets-chicago/home/_LS_projects/weber-spur-trail.html
I’m writing this all from memory so if I missed anything, sorry. Don’t quote me as fact and DYOR.