Cyclists, Walkers Rejoice: Navy Pier Flyover Bridge Completed

CHICAGO — The long-awaited Navy Pier Flyover trail is now complete for bike-riders and walkers to travel continuously from the north to south end of the Lakefront Trail.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot attended the ribbon-cutting for the $64 million project on Monday. The original opening ceremony was supposed to take place in 2018 but was delayed multiple times after issues with state funding and the preexisting Lake Shore Drive bridge, city officials said.

"We need to celebrate our lakefront and reopening of our city," Lightfoot said at a news conference where she said the flyover is an important component of the city's Open Chicago plan.

The new addition is not open to automobiles and runs from Ohio Street Beach to the south side of the Chicago River. The steel and concrete bridge spans 1,750 feet and is 16 feet wide.

The Lake Shore Drive bridge also got a facelift during the final phase of construction to expand the pedestrian and bike portion from 9 to 16 feet in width. The 83-year-old bridge's opening was attended by President Franklin Roosevelt.

Work continues on structural repairs for the flyover, but the expansion across the Chicago River, the hardest part, is now open to the public. Overall, the entire project provides about 17 miles of safe, open path from one side of the city to the other.