Planned improvements to the Des Plaines River Trail will address flooding and accessibility concerns while also connecting up to the Illinois Prairie Path, creating a continuous recreational trail system that extends from the Oak Park/River Forest area through or near Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Norridge and Park Ridge up to Wisconsin.
Mike Kerr, President of Burke Engineering and the project manager, said funding is in process for much of the work slated for a 5.4-mile section of the trail between Touhy Avenue to Irving Park Road. Funding for another 4.9-mile section for improvements from Irving Park Road south to North Avenue is being sought.
“This type of regional asset has not been readily or widely available to residents in this region of the county. On a map of communities underserved by bike trails, this region pops out at you,” said Franklin Park Village President Barrett Pedersen.
Pedersen helped found the Des Plaines Trail Advisory Group, an organization that has worked to promote the trail improvements by bringing together municipalities and other governmental entities. The group includes the West Central Municipal Conference, whose members include Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, River Grove and Northlake, and other municipalities along the trail like Park Ridge. Other members include the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Cook County Department of Transportation.
Pedersen said much of the Des Plaines River trail has been inaccessible for as much as 60 percent of the year because of flooding. Other sections of the trail cross busy intersections with little to no pedestrian safeguards, he said.
Pedersen said that when completed, the trails will provide a recreational destination for bicyclists, joggers, and others, but also provide a transportation benefit for the region.
“Similar to the benefit of Chicago trails serving many wards, the DPRT trail would serve not only privileged suburbs but also those communities historically lacking access,” he said.
Kerr said the improvements should address flooding and improve intersections where the trail crosses busy roads, including state routes. He said in terms of funding and engineering, the Touhy Avenue to Irving Park Road section is further along. According to the forest preserve website and Kerr, the planned improvements for that section are:
Touhy Ave to Devon Ave: The improvements would standardize the width and texture of the trail and move the trail’s intersection with Touhy Avenue from mid-block to the signaled intersection at Talcott Road. The improvements also would create an at-grade crossing at Devon Avenue and Dee Road, eliminating the Devon Avenue underpass, the forest preserve website states.
Kerr said construction and engineering for these improvements would cost about $2.1 million. Park Ridge has requested grants from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). He said the soonest work could start would be late 2022 at the earliest.
Devon Ave to Bryn Mawr Ave: Kerr said the project would reconstruct segments of the trail and improve trail crossing at Higgins Road and Dee Road. He said the estimated cost of the improvements would be about $1.5 million. Rosemont has requested ITEP grants for funding. Kerr said this section would likely occur six months behind section one, should the grant applications be approved.
Bryn Mawr Ave to Lawrence Ave: Kerr said this section would cost about $7 million and include relocating the trail above the floodplain and constructing a pedestrian overpass at Lawrence Avenue. The Forest Preserves is pursuing a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) federal grant for Phase 2 engineering plans. Other funding could come from ITEP grants. Kerr estimated that this section could move forward by 2025.
Lawrence Ave to Irving Park Rd: Kerr said this section would likely cost around $2 million, and the Forest Preserves is pursuing CMAQ funds and Schiller Park has requested ITEP grants. The improvements would include relocating the trail away from the river and out of the floodplain, Kerr said.
“The public leaders from every community along the DPRT have been very excited and supportive of the project,” Pedersen said.
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