The renovation of a 4.4-mile stretch of the Des Plaines River Trail, which runs between Lawrence and Touhy Avenues, is officially complete. The $12.5 million project included the installation of a 1,000-foot elevated boardwalk in a section of the trail that is prone to flooding, as well a new pedestrian bridge over Lawrence Avenue.
The major enhancements to the trail were celebrated by local elected officials and representatives from the Forest Preserves of Cook County during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Robinson Woods-South on August 6.
Other aspects of the renovation entailed rerouting segments for safety and better trail conditions, and traffic signal and ADA improvements at six locations: East River Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Higgins Avenue, Talcott Road, Devon Avenue and Dee Road. The trail was also widened and resurfaced in areas where it was needed.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said the new bridge symbolizes their ongoing commitment to alternative transportation options and the improvement of public lands.
“The ongoing work to make the Des Plaines River Trail easier to enjoy and safer to use is a great benefit to local residents and nature lovers across Cook County. I thank our partners for their dedication to making it a reality,” Preckwinkle said.
Riverside officials did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The renovation is just one part of an ongoing $70 million-plan to improve sections of the 28-mile trail system.
The improvements are expected to address issues such as flooding, trail reconstruction, potential new trail connections, and safety at roadways and major railroad crossings.
Construction for the next section of the project, which will focus on improving trail conditions between Lawrence Avenue and Irving Park Road, will begin in spring of 2025.
In conjunction with the Village of Schiller Park, those renovations will include an additional boardwalk and trail rerouting and resurfacing.
Jack Bielak, director of public works and engineering for the Village of River Forest, said the Des Plaines River Trail network provides connectivity to the entire region and makes it easier and safer for residents to travel throughout Cook County. According to Bielak, River Forest is currently partnering with the Village of Rosemont on Phase I engineering and environmental studies to explore extending the trail south of North Avenue to connect into the Illinois Prairie Path.
“This phase of the trail being completed is super important for us because as we move forward with our project, that one being completed just makes ours more important to the entire network,” Bielak said.
In March, the River Forest Village Board voted unanimously to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Rosemont for $66,900 for the village’s portion of the Phase 1 design of the project. The River Forest section of the trail would mainly run along Thatcher Avenue between North Avenue and Madison Street.
“Phase 1 is the initial part where we’re doing feasibility, environmental studies, looking at intersections and doing outreach with neighbors,” Bielak said. “Phase 1 is just the preliminary phase.”
According to Bielak, a public meeting will be held in September to go over the project.
Carl Vogel, Director of Communications for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, said they are supportive of the concept of extending the trail south of North Avenue to connect into the Illinois Prairie Path and remain a willing partner if needed. However, they are not leading that work because the trail would not be on Forest Preserve property.
Regarding the most recent improvements to the trail, Vogel said the ribbon-cutting ceremony was very exciting.
“It was really a nice moment,” Vogel said. “There’s a lot of work that goes into these things so it’s nice when you have a chance to stop and celebrate.”
Vogel said the bridge above Lawrence Avenue replaced an underpass that would frequently flood, resulting in closures.
“That underpass, being down so low, would get filled with water and would often be impassable or really muddy,” he said. “This bridge, in addition to being really handsome and cool looking, is a great way to get over Lawrence Avenue and avoid engaging with a pretty major street.”
Vogel said one aspect of the renovation, which focused on improving safety, was moving pedestrian crossings from mid-street to the closest intersection.
“The improvements make it easier, more fun and safer to be out on the trail,” he said. “It makes it a more enjoyable experience.”
In order to make the newest renovations possible, the Village of Rosemont and City of Park Ridge worked with the Forest Preserves to secure federal funds through Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program and the locally programmed Transportation Alternatives Program, which paid for 80% of the project’s engineering and construction. State funds and Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways Motor Fuel Tax funds covered the local share.
For more information about trail improvements visit the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s website: https://fpdcc.com/about/plans-projects/des-plaines-river-trail-improvements/