Cleveland breaks ground on North Marginal bike trail
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County officials will break ground this morning on a 2.7-mile bike trail connecting downtown to the East 55th Street marina via the lakefront.
Why it matters: The North Marginal Trail will upgrade the portion of the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway to be a separated riding lane, rather than the shared North Marginal Road.
- The new, paved off-road trail is safer for cyclists and links up seamlessly with the Bikeway at East 55th Street, connecting users to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and east side neighborhoods.
The big picture: Trail construction begins as the city continues to develop marquee bike infrastructure projects on Superior and Lorain and launches engagement on its five-year "multi-modal transportation plan."
What they're saying: "Our streets can and should be so much more than thoroughfares from one place to the next," Mayor Justin Bibb said in a statement.
By the numbers: The $13 million trail project is funded mainly by a $5 million grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and $6.5 million in federal funds, with smaller contributions from the county and city.
How it works: The county will manage construction, expected to last until 2026.
- Cleveland City Council passed legislation earlier this year leasing the land to the Cleveland Metroparks, which will maintain the trail after completion.
What we're watching: At a transit forum in 2022, County Executive Chris Ronayne said the North Marginal Trail would "set the table" for new land use at Burke Lakefront Airport.
- Airport conversations have taken a back seat during current lakefront master planning and the looming Browns stadium decision.