As part of a larger goal to make the village more accessible for walkers and bikers, Lincolnwood officials are moving forward with longtime plans to stripe bicycle lanes on two major roadways.
The Lincolnwood Public Works Department said it plans to start construction next year on designated bike-only lanes near Pratt Avenue east to McCormick Boulevard and another shared lane along Lincoln Avenue for both motorists and cyclists, according to the village.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has approved the plans, which show the Lincoln Avenue bike lanes being marked by bicycle symbols to guide cyclists toward the safest place to ride on the roadway and reminders for drivers to share the road, according to public works officials.
“The project includes restriping Lincoln Avenue to provide a wider outside lane to accommodate a shared vehicle/bike lane,” said Andrew Letson, assistant to the public works director. “The restriping will not result in the loss of any parking.”
The scope of the work, which is expected to begin next year, also calls for pedestrian-activated push button signals at Devon and Pratt, as well as Lincoln and Pratt, that will activate flashing warning signs to notify walkers and bikers when it’s safe to cross the intersections.
The bike lanes and traffic signal upgrades are part of a larger plan to promote alternative transportation options in the village. Two bike paths already are under construction.
Known as the Valley Line Trail, the first of the two paths will connect bicyclists traveling between Chicago and Skokie. The second path — the Union Pacific Bicycle Path — will connect the east side of Lincolnwood from Devon to Touhy avenues.
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Letson said the Valley Line Trail is expected to be open by September, while the Union Pacific path could be ready for use by November.
An Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant awarded to the village six years ago covers $171,000 (80 percent) of the total project costs for the bike lane striping and pedestrian walk signals.
The village is responsible for the remaining 20 percent, or roughly $34,270.
Ongoing discussions between IDOT and the village regarding what streets should be striped with the bike lanes resulted in a delay stretching several years, according to public works.
“Due to these delays, the project agreement date needs to be amended in order to extend funding for the project,” according to a memo from public works.
The Lincolnwood Village Board this month agreed to extend the local agency agreement between IDOT and the village that governs the grant funding.
IDOT rejected other ideas for bike lanes the village wanted to build along East Prairie Avenue and west of where the Union Pacific path will meet Pratt. The state agency determined those streets weren’t wide enough, according to the village.
Natalie Hayes is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.