If you live in Chicago, you’ve almost certainly heard about The 606 trail (formerly known as the Bloomingdale Trail) that’s currently being built in the heart of the city. The trail is a recreational path built along the elevated tracks of the now extinct Bloomingdale train line, which stretches from east to west across the city.
The 606 will start near the intersections of Armitage, Pulaski, and Milwaukee, and continue straight east to Ashland Ave., spanning the Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, and Wicker Park neighborhoods. Along the way, six parks will give residents a chance to unwind.
The project, which was being discussed since at least 2012, went through some slow patches, leaving many Chicagoans wondering when it would actually be finished. Just last June, a new, sixth park was added to the plans at what seemed like the last minute, adding more than 4 acres of park space to The 606 and to the Logan Square neighborhood.
Despite multiple delays, the developers have announced that The 606 is on track to open in June of this year.
Cyclists are particularly excited for The 606, because the trail will offer a safe and scenic way to get from Chicago’s western neighborhoods to the West Loop. The trail also conveniently connects with the Milwaukee corridor, which is popular path for cyclists commuting to the Loop for work.
The developers project that once The 606 is completed, 80,000 Chicagoans will be able to reach either the trail or one of its parks within a 10-or-less minute walk.
For more information on The 606, visit: http://the606.org
