|
What's New
Trail Maintenance Task Force - Follow-Up Activity
If you have issues and concerns about path maintenance, please end to address the task force or email comments to dfagan@dupageco.org
Illinois Prairie Path Bridge Over the East Branch of the DuPage River Completed
For several years, the DuPage County Division of Transportation has been working to design a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the East Branch of the DuPage River on the border of Glen Ellyn and Lombard. The current bridge is not in good condition, is very narrow and doesn't meet the current trail design standards for a high usage trail like the Illinois Prairie Path. The new bridge will be much wider and construction work on the replacement will begin in the next several weeks.
DuPage County is funding this project with $520,000 in grants provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Bicycle Path Program and a High Priority Project Grant provided under the sponsorship of former Representative Henry Hyde. DuPage County is funding the balance of the projected $550,000 project and funded engineering and environmental studies required for the project's approval.
D Construction will be the contractor on this job and has done several successful trail projects in DuPage County.
Watch for posted detours when the project starts work directing path users to Vance and Hill Avenue. Work will begin March 24 and will be completed by June, 2009.
If there are any questions, please contact dfagan@dupageco.org or call 630-407-6883.
Economic Stimulus Program Means More Funding for Bikeway Facilities
As part of the federal economic stimulus program, known officially as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, significant funding is expected to become available for bicycle and pedestrian projects on the local level. Statewide, Illinois could receive $936 million for all transportation funding which includes $627 million for State of Illinois projects and $281 million for local projects. The Chicago region will receive $203 million of that with $16.2 million of the Chicago region share expected to come to DuPage. A special set-aside that funds bicycle and pedestrian projects and other non-highway projects in DuPage will account for $3.2 million of the DuPage allocation.
While there are many requirements and "strings attached" it is good news for those of us who are seeking funding for local bike/ped projects. In addition, projects that are funded from stimulus funds and not funded from other existing state and federal grant programs, are expected to free up grant dollars in these grant programs for new projects which cannot meet stimulus requirements. That will hopefully result in more bike/ped funding in the next 2 years.
The State of Illinois also will have $28 million additional dollars for the Transportation Enhancement Program that is administered at the state level. The State has made a decision to fund grant applications that previously applied for funding under the Transportation Enhancement Program in Spring, 2008 (grants were not awarded yet for that program). Approximately 20 project applications in various categories (requesting over $17 million in funding) were submitted from DuPage agencies so we are hopeful some projects will be funded from either the 2008 Transportation Enhancement Program or the stimulus Enhancement Program.
Current Status: DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference has completed accepting applications for projects under the ARRA Surface Transportation Program. Approximately $71 million in project grant requests were received for the $16.2 million allocated to DuPage towns and DuPage County. Applications are being evaluated now and more information on selected projects is expected shortly.
We will post more information on this website on how the stimulus funding affects bike/ped planning in our area as new information becomes available to us.
Watch for More Railroad Traffic
Canadian National officials will be posting additional signage at railroad crossings of the Illinois Prairie Path over the next few weeks to warn trail users to be on the lookout for increased freight traffic. This railroad has light traffic at the present time so trail users may not be used to seeing trains. Be on the lookout for these signs and more rail cars at the Elgin, Joliet and East Railroad crossings of the IPP Aurora Branch in Aurora east of Eola Road, along the IPP Batavia Spur in Aurora just east of Eola Road, and at the IPP Elgin Branch crossing in Wayne, south of Army Trail Road.
New DuPage County Regional Bikeway Plan - User Map Now Available
Did you know that DuPage County is home to 462 miles of bikeway facilities? Working in partnership with municipalities, park district, townships, the Forest Preserve District and others, DuPage County and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Office recently announced completion of the new DuPage County Regional Bikeway Plan. The Plan identifies a:
*DuPage County Regional Trail Network totaling 298 miles with 191 existing miles to date (64% constructed)
Major Regional Trails
Illinois Prairie Path, Great Western Trail, Salt Creek Greenway Trail, West Branch DuPage River Trail, East Branch DuPage River Greenway Trail, Southern DuPage County Regional Trail, North Central DuPage Regional Trail, Centennial Trail, Virgil Gilman Trail, DuPage Technology Corridor Trail, Veterans Memorial Trail, Hinsdale Bikeway, Itasca-Addison Trail, Aurora-Naperville Trail, Arboretum Forest Preserve Trail Connector, Carol Stream-Bloomingdale Trail, O'Hare Connector and I-88 Central DuPage Bikeway
* DuPage Local Network of community bikeways totaling 471 miles with 271 existing miles to date (57% constructed)
Countywide agencies including the DuPage County Division of Transportation and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and local agencies such as municipalities and park districts, have made great strides in implementing the previous 1996 regional plan. In 1996, there were 198 total miles of existing bikeways (off-road paths, trails, bicycle routes or bicycle lanes). By 2008, the number of total miles had risen 233% to 462 miles.
To obtain a copy of the DuPage County Regional Bikeway Plan or a copy of the Plan User Map, please send your mailing address to dfagan@dupageco.org. For a graphic of the Regional Network, click here: DuPage County Regional Bikeway Network
Healthy Roads Policy - County to Include More On-Road Bicycle Facilities
The DuPage County Board recently took action to amend its 2004 Healthy Roads Policy to expand the opportunities to provide on-road bicycle accommodations on County Highways when undertaking major highway improvements in the future. The policy also allows the Division of Transportation to examine low cost improvements which may allow for additional facilities to be added such as re-striping existing roadways.
For a copy of the 2008 amendment and the original 2004 policy click here: Healthy Roads Policy and 2008 Amendment
Trees for Trails - New Tree Donation Program
In an effort to offset the expected effects of Emerald Ash Borer, disease, storm damage and other causes for the loss of trees, DuPage County and The Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation have established a new partnership to encourages donations of trees for the trail system. Donations of any amount are welcome. The full cost for shrubs is $475 and for trees is $525.
If you would like more information on this program, please contact dfagan@dupageco.org or see the informational flyer: Trees for Trails Informational Flyer
Special appreciation to our 2008 Trees for Trails Program Donors:
The Illinois Prairie Path Not-for-Profit Corporation
Safe Routes to School Approved School Travel Plans
The Illinois Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Program has approved School Travel Plans for the schools and groups in our local area listed below. This approval will allow these groups to apply for 100% funded federal grants to fund programs and physical improvements that will make it easier for kids to walk and bicycle to school. Congratulations to our towns, schools and organizations who worked to achieve this important step!
| Addison Rides and Walks to School |
Addison |
| District 131 - Cowheard MS and Allen Elementary |
Aurora |
| Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills and Burr Ridge Travel Plans |
Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Burr Ridge |
| Village of Downers Grove Safe Routes to School Plan |
Downers Grove |
| Safe Routes to Glendale Heights Schools |
Glendale Heights |
| Itasca School Travel Plan |
Itasca |
| Lisle Safe Routes to School |
Lisle |
| Highland Avenue |
Lombard |
| Shafer School Sidewalk Improvements |
Lombard |
| Naperville Walk/Bike to School Program |
Naperville |
| Wheaton Safe Routes to School |
Wheaton |
| Winfield School Travel Plan |
Winfield |
Emerald Ash Borer Comes to DuPage County
The Emerald Ash Borer is a destructive bug which infests Ash trees. We expect this pest will have some future impact on trees along the County's trail system including the Illinois Prairie Path, the Great Western Trail and the Southern DuPage County Regional Trail as well as along other local and forest preserve trails. Look for the following signs and symptoms on Ash trees to spot Emerald Ash Borer:
-
Bright, metallic green bug
-
D-shaped exit holes in the trunk of the tree
-
Bark splitting with increased woodpecker activity
-
Epicomic shoots that grow from the trunk and roots of the tree.
For additional information on what you can do to detect and prevent the spread of this pest, links to important sites as well as photographs to help with the detection of Emerald Ash Borer, please visit www.illinoiseab.com or www.emeraldashborer.info or www.mortonarb.org.
Southern Trail Progress Continues to Move East
The Southern DuPage County Regional Trail is approximately 80% complete. New improvements are planned this year in Hinsdale and Willowbrook to complete the trail route.
Trail Map: For a Southern DuPage County Regional Trail Guide, email your street mailing address to dfagan@dupageco.org .
New Great Western Trail Bridge at Grace Street Planned
The Village of Lombard has received a federal Surface Transportation Program grant to construct a new trail bridge along the Great Western Trail. The new bridge will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Grace Street, the Union Pacific Railroad, and St. Charles Road on a separated facility. The total project cost for this new bridge is $2.5 million with the federal grant funding 75% of this cost.
DuPage County is participating as a co-sponsor of this project providing County trail right-of-way for the new facility. Also, the County will be providing $200,000 toward funding the engineering and local match needed for the grant.
The engineering work is currently underway to provide a preliminary design of this new bridge. When completed in approximately 2010, this new facility will provide one of the public’s most requested improvements for the Great Western Trail.
Salt Creek Trail New Progress
The DuPage County Forest Preserve District has constructed the Oak Brook segment of the Salt Creek Trail. This segment stretches from Villa Park just south of St. Charles Road south through Elmhurst and Oak Brook to the Cook County line. There the trail connects to the segment of the trail previously completed by Cook County that takes you up over to Brookfield Zoo.
An extension of this trail construction to the north, called the Addison segment, is expected to follow in 2009-2010. The Forest Preserve has secured funding and construction is expected to start in the next few months.
Elmhurst Missing Link: The Elmhurst Park District and the City of Elmhurst are working on the missing trail segment in central Elmhurst that will complete the DuPage portion of this trail. The Mayor of Elmhurst has also formed a bicycle task force that is working to make Elmhurst a more bike friendly community, including a “ bikeable streets” map, a Safe Routes to Schools Program and more appropriately placed bike parking and storage. All stakeholders in the community are participating in the task force.
For more information, contact the DuPage County Forest Preserve District at 630-933-7200.
Become a Trail Star!
Sheriff Zaruba has created a new citizen trail watch program called STAR. Below is a summary describing the new program. If you need more information, a program application, or have any questions, please call 955-0302.
STAR Program Summary
Sheriff John E. Zaruba has a volunteer program called S.T.A.R. (Sheriff’s Trailwatchers are Responding) as another component of his Office’s Prairie Path Protection Project. S.T.A.R. volunteers are asked to be watchful while they are out enjoying the Prairie Path or Great Western Trail, assist trail users, and report any suspicious activity to police.
Anyone who uses the County trail system is eligible to become a member of S.T.A.R. Applicants must be over the age of 21, pass a background investigation, and be willing to participate in a short training class to involve first aid, path orientation, and emergency response procedures.
Following the training class, volunteers will be provided with a distinctive t-shirt to wear while walking the paths so the public may easily identify them if they need help. In addition, volunteers who so desire will be provided with a cellular telephone to carry with them while they walk. The cell phones are programmed to dial 911 and directly connect to the Sheriff’s Office for immediate emergency response, but cannot make or receive any other outside calls.
The S.T.A.R. program currently has 136 volunteers but more volunteers can always help in keeping the path system safe for all.
STAR Program Application: Call 630-407-2400 for further information and a program application
|
