Plans for a two-way protected cycletrack along Chicago Ave between Davis and Howard Streets, combined with enhanced bus stops, sidewalks, and crosswalks, present a generational opportunity to enhance this vital corridor and connect our community. Chicago Ave is highly utilized today by cyclists, despite the lack of dedicated bike lanes. Additional residents and visitors of all ages and abilities would feel comfortable riding on Chicago Ave to reach local shops, schools, and parks, as well as Downtown Evanston, with protected lanes.

From its original opening in 1925 until 1948, the CTA Yellow Line (also known as the Skokie Swift) had several stops in Evanston. After major changes in the mid-20th century, platforms at Dodge, Asbury, and Ridge were shuttered and dismantled. Reopening a station in one of these locations would enhance access to Ascension Saint Francis Hospital, Levy Senior Center and the Howard St business district, while also providing connections to numerous local bus routes.

ETA is proposing a two-way bike path and pedestrian improvements along Main St between the Channel and Ridge Ave, connecting Skokie, Crown Center, Washington Elementary, Main-Dempster Mile shops, and existing bike lanes along Dodge and Asbury. Existing conditions on Main St are hostile to those outside of cars, encouraging car usage and also speeding. A lack of dedicated space for cycling, and missing or inadequate sidewalks/ crosswalks increases the risk of injuries or fatalities for vulnerable road users…

A woonerf, which means "living street," prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists by creating a shared public space with low-speed limits and built-in community amenities. Still acting as a through street, but with cars as guests on the road, reducing traffic to a walking pace and allowing people to use the space for socializing and gathering. The Custer Oasis, used for outdoor dining since COVID, is the perfect site for Evanston’s first Woonerf, transforming this temporary pop-up into a permanent public space in the heart of South Evanston, steps from CTA and Metra, surrounded Main-Dempster Mile businesses, and at the intersection of Ward 3, 4, and 9.

A neighborhood greenway along Lincoln and Harrison Streets would provide a priority east-west pedestrian and cycling route across North Evanston, improving safe access to local schools, shops, parks, transit stations, and the new Ryan Field. Common elements would include reduced speed limits, shared lane markings, improved signage, and raised crosswalks/ dedicated bike lanes at high-traffic intersections…

The safety of our ETHS Students walking and cycling to school is a top priority. Continuous, protected bike lanes along the south side of Church Street from the Channel Bridge/Trail to Dodge Ave, is a critical project for enhancing our community. Existing street conditions in the vicinity leave much to be desired at present, with no designated lanes and high volumes of car and truck traffic, discouraging cycling and increasing the chance of injuries and fatalities.

With a $40,000 Invest in Cook grant, the first phase of planning on the North Shore Channel Trail extension is now complete. This project would see the paved walking and cycling path continue north from its current dead-end terminus at Green Bay Road to Gilson Park in Wilmette- creating a nearly uninterrupted multi-use trail from Belmont Ave in Chicago to the lakefront.

A southern extension of Evanston’s Lakefront Trail along Sheridan Road near Calvary Cemetery is a critical missing link in our park and active transportation network. ETA is currently working with residents in the 3rd Ward to support bike, and complementary pedestrian improvements including raised crosswalks, to try and improve access to our our beaches and lakefront south from the current terminus of the multi-use pathway at Lee St…