Cracked, Warped Lakefront Trail A Potential Hazard For Runners, Bikers

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Some describe a portion of the Lakefront Trail as slabs of pavement debris. Some of that pavement sticks out the length of your hand, creating 6 to 8 inch speed bumps in places you wouldn't expect them.

If the Lakefront Trail is the face of this city, it's starting to show blemishes too big to ignore, too big to bike through, forcing some to walk over.

"To have something like this happen is terrible," said Cliff Guilbeau.

South of Oak Street beach you'll find sections of warped, cracked uneven surface. A 30 yard stretch of the high-use running and bike path looks more like a BMX course.

Those not hopping over the pavement debris find themselves maneuvering around it.

Over the past decade, Guilbeau has seen the elements chip away at the pavement. This year's results remind him of a natural disaster.

"Kinda a small earthquake on the path there," Guilbeau said.

The concern is someone biking or running will eventually take a detour to the hospital.

While there are markers indicating the city is aware of the problem, a short walk north you'll find another maker reading "fix me."

"We live in a better city than what we see here," Guilbeau said.

The Chicago Park District says in a statement, "After a season of windy weather and high wave action, portions of the Lakefront Trail are in need of repair. The Chicago Park District has assessed the damage in impacted areas."

They say repairs will begin in the next two weeks.