Project Summary
Neighborhood Greenways are low-stress residential streets which provide safe and comfortable connection for people biking and walking. Greenways often feature traffic calming elements to slow vehicle traffic, making the street safer for neighborhood residents and visitors, whether they are walking, biking, or driving. Greenways also serve as an alternative to biking on busier arterial streets.
Project Overview
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Andersonville
- Zip Code: 60640, 60625
- Scope and boundaries: Leland Avenue from the Chicago River to Clark Street
- Timeline: Fall 2024-Fall 2025
- Project Website
Status: In progress
Quick Links
Scope & Design
Leland Greenway
The greenway was first proposed by the Chicago Department of Transportation in 2019 as part of the Lincoln Square master plan to help create a continuous, low-stress bicycle connection between the North Shore Channel Trail and the Lakefront Trail.
This initiative builds on other recent streetscape changes on Lawrence Avenue. New painted bike lanes on Francisco, which is one-way southbound, will help connect riders to the North Shore Channel Trail. New crossings will be marked for people walking and biking. Construction is slated to start 2022.
Project Goals
- Provide low-stress neighborhood bike route for cyclists
- Provide better connections to protected bike lanes on Clark Street and Lincoln Ave
- Increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists
Press & Media
Design Exhibits
- Lincoln Square Master Plan, (PDF, 20MB)
Project Features
- Painted bike lanes with green pavement markings
- Landscaped curb extensions
- Bike-friendly speed humps
- Detached bumpouts at key intersections
- Traffic diverter at Leland and Western that will prevent left-hand turns to only allow right-hand turns.
Timeline & Construction Updates
Project Timeline
- Bidding: 2023
- Construction: Fall 2024-Fall 2025
- Estimated Completion: EOY 2025
Construction Updates
Leland Greenway began the week of September 9th, 2024 and the majority of the work in the 40th Ward concluded in early 2025! Phase 2 at Leland and Western is taking place from in the Summer and Fall of 2025.
Update as of 9/4/25:
Crews are now working on the curbs on the west side of Western, both north and south of Leland. They are rebuilding sidewalks and curbs, building a bus bulb on the southwest corner, and preparing the installation of new lights and traffic signals. Sidewalks and businesses on the west side will remain accessible. They hope to complete this work in another 5 weeks.
Please note that the southbound #49 bus stop is closed for the duration of this work. Riders can catch the bus at Lawrence or at Wilson.
The remainder of the Leland Greenway project is projected to start in November. A traffic diverter at Leland and Western will be installed after they resurface the intersection, which will prevent left-hand turns and only allow right-hand turns at this intersections.
The majority of this work is taking place in the 47th Ward, so you can visit their website for ongoing updates!
Engagement
Community Meetings
No updates.
Subscribe to Updates
From the blog
