City of Evanston
Home MenuChurch Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements
Project Summary:
Church Street is a key route within Evanston, running east-west through the heart of the City and into downtown. Destinations accessible by walking, cycling, and transit abound within the corridor between Dodge Avenue and the North Shore Channel, including the North Shore Channel Trail, Evanston Township High School, and community-oriented retail at the northwest corner of Church Street and Dodge Street. Multi-use facilities have been constructed along the south side of Church Street east of Dodge Avenue over the past decade, however the City desires to continue pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on Church Street to the west city limits at the North Shore Channel. In addition to the Church Street route, bicycle facilities are desired to fill the gap between the off-street paths along the east side of the North Shore Channel between Harbert Park to the south and Beck Park to the north.
The City has now initiated a preliminary environmental and design study (a Phase I study) to fully evaluate these improvements. The objectives of the study are to improve safety for people walking across Church Street within the project limits, fill a gap in the bicycle network on Church Street between Dodge Avenue and the west city limits, and fill the gap in the trail network along the east side of the North Shore Channel between Dempster Street and Church Street, with the goal of improving safety and mobility for people walking and riding bikes within these corridors. The Phase I Study for this project will include environmental and location-design studies needed to develop and refine geometric improvements, evaluate costs and impacts, and undertake coordination with jurisdictional agencies and the public.
Project Address:
Public Meeting:
Project Manager:
Chris Sous, Assistant City Engineer
For questions, please call 847-448-4311
Current Project Phase:
- Preliminary Engineering Study
Public Meetings:
Two open house public meetings for this study were held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 between 4 PM and 7 PM at the Evanston Ecology Center and on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 between 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM at ETHS. The purpose was to present the existing conditions and potential improvement alternatives and to accept public comments regarding the project. Following are the materials from the meeting.
Meeting Material
Public Engagement:
Community Survey:
Thank you for participating in the Church Street Survey. The City received over 200 responses. Please check back for updates.
Council Actions:
- Approval of Contract Award with CivilTech Engineering, Inc. for the Church Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements RFQ 20-21
- Approval of Change Order No. 1 to the Agreement with CivilTech Engineering, Inc. for the Church Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements (RFQ 20-21)