Quinn Announces Bike, Walking Trail Improvements in Cook County

The following information comes from a press release from the Office of Gov. Pat Quinn. 

Gov. Pat Quinn announced earlier this month a $52.7 million investment in community transportation projects throughout Illinois. 

The investment will support more than 400 jobs through 71 projects, including bike paths, walking trails, historic preservation and streetscape beautification projects in communities across Illinois. 

The funding is through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) – a federally-funded, competitive program that encourages transportation-related projects. 

“These projects will support hundreds of jobs while preserving our heritage, beautifying communities and creating opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclists and others across Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “The projects will help improve the quality of life for everyone, and I commend Senator Durbin and Illinois’ congressional delegation for fighting for this important community funding.”

The ITEP program is designed to promote alternative transportation options, including bike and pedestrian travel, along with streetscape beautification

“These grants will make our communities better places in which to live and work,” Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider said. “They promote outdoor activity and help make us more proud of what our home towns have to offer.”

The following projects in Cook County will receive funding: 

Village of Riverside: $818,160, Riverside Train Station

The project will assist the Village to complete rehabilitation of this historic structure. In early 2013 the village completed a masonry project (tuckpointing) on the main station building and north and south pavilions. The roof is original to the structure and in need of repair.

Calumet City: $191,110, Bike Path/Multi-Use Trail 

A 0.78 mile-long trail/bike path will be constructed on Torrence Avenue, located within the corporate boundaries of the City of Calumet City (near River Oaks Mall). The proposed project encourages non-motorized transportation options, as the project directly links to the development of a bike path sponsored by the Cook County Forest Preserve. Both trails connect at the NE corner of Torrence Ave. and 159th Street.

Countryside: $916,550, Brainard Avenue Multi-Use Path

A multi-use path will be installed on the east side of Brainard Avenue from Joliet Road to 55th Street, in Countryside. Brainard Avenue is one of the thoroughfares in the City of Countryside. Brainard Avenue begins just south of Joliet Road in Countryside, and ends on the north at Ogden Avenue in LaGrange.

City of Rolling Meadows: $691,260, Euclid Avenue Bike Path

This project consists of constructing a 10-foot wide asphalt path within the Euclid Avenue Right of Way. The portion from Rohlwing Road to West Salt Creek Lane will occur on the north side of Euclid Avenue. The project will take advantage of the lighted intersection at West Salt Creek Lane to Cross to the south side of Euclid Avenue. There it will run parallel to Euclid Avenue until it reaches the existing Salt Creek Trail bike path.  

Evanston: $1,492,400, Sheridan Road/Chicago Avenue Bike Path

The project will provide a two-way off-street bike path adjacent to Sheridan Road from Lincoln Street to Chicago Avenue adjacent to Northwestern University Campus, and a two-way on-street path on Chicago Avenue between Sheridan Road and the Central Business District connecting with Church Street and Davis Street protected bike paths.

Village of Riverdale: $2,183,000, Cal-Sag Trail (Halsted/Jackson to Indiana/138th Street Segment)

The Calumet-Sag Greenway Trail – Riverdale Segment is part of a much longer trail that begins near Lemont and continues eastward to the Burnham Greenway Trail near the Indiana State Line. The project consists of constructing a 10-foot wide, 26-mile long bike trail along the Calumet-Sag Channel and Little Calumet River corridor. The entire project will be constructed in a number of segments, many of which have already received construction funding with construction beginning early in 2014.   

City of Des Plaines: $1,281,630, U.S. Route 12 (Rand Road) Side path

The project consists of constructing a side path, for use by both pedestrians and bicyclists, along the south side of US Route 12 (Rand Road) between Central Road and Elk Boulevard. The side path will close an existing major gap in the sidewalk network and will carry the Evanston-Elgin Regional Bikeway through the City of Des Plaines. At its southern terminus, the project will connect to several programmed improvements, creating a continuous bicycle corridor through the length of Des Plaines.

Northbrook: $57,750, On-Street Bicycle Signs and Pavement Markings

The Northbrook Bicycle Plan identifies streets that can be improved to provide a fully connected bicycle network for use by residents to travel to schools, the library, parks, athletic fields and other popular destinations. When complete, this network may serve to provide a viable alternative to automotive transportation. A relatively low cost means of reaching this goal is to install pavement markings and street signage to indicate bicycle routes on Village streets.

City of Berwyn: $12,240, East Avenue Bike Plan Implementation

This project will consist of installing shared lane markings along one of Berwyn's designated bicycle ways, East Avenue. This project will assist the City in implementing its City-wide bike plan. The City has placed bike route and destination signage along this particular route and the next step is to place pavement markings to further remind drivers that this street is a shared route and to assist bicyclists with lateral positioning while using this route. 

City of Berwyn: $82,040, City of Berwyn Sidewalk Improvements

This project consists of the installation of sidewalks, where non-existent along City and State owned arterials and collector routes. This project will provide an alternative and comfortable mode of transportation, provide a connection to alternative modes of transportation, such as public transit; will enhance the existing transportation network and improve the attractiveness and the aesthetics of the area.

City of Berwyn: $15,120, Citywide Bike Route Signs

The project will consist of installing bike route signage and destination signage along the City's bike network. The City started to sign its bike network in 2011. Positive feedback has been received from bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers. All users of the network indicated that the destination signs are very informational and the bike route signage has made drivers aware that bicyclists may be within the right-of-way.

Village of Riverside: $754,660, Burlington Street Streetscape Project

Riverside proposes to implement a streetscape project along E. Burlington Street to support revitalization of the Village's historic Central Business District. The project will be implemented in coordination with the E. Burlington Street resurfacing project funded by the Surface Transportation Program. Riverside recently completed its Central Business District Plan with assistance from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. The proposed project is based on the recommendations of this plan.

Village of Western Springs: $467,560, Bemis Woods Bike Path Extension to Wolf Road and Ogden Avenue

A bike path and pedestrian crossing facilities will be constructed at Wolf Road and Ogden Avenue to allow for access and connection to the Salt Creek Trail system. The construction of this connecting path system will allow for pedestrians from La Grange, Western Springs and Hinsdale to easily access the existing trail system by foot or by bike from the south. It will also allow access to the pedestrian bridge over I-294 located at Maple Street.

Village of Olympia Fields: $488,800, New Construction Bike Path/Multi-Use Trail

A new 1.25 mile bike path/multi-use trail will be constructed new on Vollmer Road. The proposed bike path connects the Vollmer Woods Forest Preserve to an existing bike trail that terminates at southeast corner of Crawford Avenue and Vollmer Road as well as connecting to on-street bike lanes currently existing on Kedzie Avenue Traffic signal modifications will be completed to provide countdown pedestrian timers for safe non-motorized travel at signalized intersections. 

Skokie: $630,800, Howard Street Multi-Use Trail

An asphalt bituminous bike path will be constructed along a key east-west corridor combined with an on-street path to connect existing facilities. The Howard Street bike path is part of an approved Village Corridor Plan which is intended to link all of the pedestrian-heavy land uses in the heart of Skokie. The route follows one of the most heavily trafficked streets in Skokie.

City of Prospect Heights: $284,000, Willow Road Sidewalk Improvement Project

The City of Prospect Heights is a built-out, land locked community. The majority of the city, especially interior residential areas, still has no sidewalks. The proposed project will allow connectivity, enhance safety and promote pedestrian and bicycle transportation. It is the goal of Prospect Heights to expand beyond the traditional accommodations for cars, trucks and transit while enhancing safety and offering alternative means of travel for commuters, visitors, students and residents.

Village of Glenview: $1,067,950, Shermer Road Bike Path

This project involves construction of a 2-mile off-road path segment, which will be a continuation of the existing bike trail systems within Glenview and Northbrook. It will connect to the existing Techny Trail regional system, Centennial Trail along West Lake Avenue, the trail system along Willow Road in Northbrook, Metra Stations, The Glen Town Center, and downtown districts as well as to the future recognized bike trail system in Northbrook along Shermer Road.

Village of Hillside: $846,890, Mannheim Road Regional Connector Bicycle Pathway

Hillside proposes to construct a multi-use pathway on Mannheim Road over the Interstate 290 interchange for pedestrian and bicycle travel. The new path will increase safety for those walking and bicycling on this high traffic road, allowing safe access to the Hillside Town Center, a 32 acre, mixed-use development at the intersection of I-290 and Mannheim Road. The path will also connect to the Illinois Prairie Path with future plans to connect to the Salt Creek regional trail.

City of Berwyn: $1,535,030, Berwyn Depot District Beautification – Oak Park Avenue

This project will improve the Berwyn Depot District transit corridor by adding visually attractive infrastructure elements, correct non-compliant ADA issues on sidewalks, retrofit an existing signalized intersection with preemption for emergency vehicles going to the adjacent hospital. Further the area will experience an increase ridership at the Oak Park Avenue, Harlem Avenue and LaVergne Metra-BNSF commuter rail station by significantly enhancing the transportation experience.