Council hears design, funding details and concerns about North Coast Connector land bridge and Shoreway boulevard

City officials on Tuesday outlined plans for the North Coast Connector — a multimillion-dollar project that would convert sections of the Shoreway into a boulevard and build a pedestrian land bridge linking downtown to the lakefront. The administration said it has been awarded federal grants that total about $60 million (INFRA) and $70 million (Reconnecting Communities), is holding $20 million in state funding, and is pursuing additional financing including a TIFIA loan to cover the project’s estimated $284 million price tag.

The briefing, led by Assistant Director Chambers of Capital Projects, described the project’s Phase 1 scope as west of East Ninth Street and listed elements that include Shoreway reconfiguration, demolition of the Main Avenue Bridge approach where needed, retaining-wall work and the land bridge design and access improvements. Chambers said construction work is scheduled to start in 2027, with a target completion in 2029, and stressed that the FHWA will administer the federal awards and require completion of NEPA and other approvals before construction.

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