THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008
City Ready To Hire Riverwalk Firm
By TODD WESSELL
Journal & Topics Editor
Des Plaines aldermen next Monday are expected to consider hiring an engineering company to perform design work for the Des Plaines River Trail Improvement---or Riverwalk---project.
A six-member committee, comprised mostly of city employees, has recommended that Civiltech Engineering, Inc. of Itasca be hired to perform the work. The estimated cost is $291,779 of which the city will pay 20%.
The Riverwalk is a project that calls for major improvements to an existing dirt trail in Des Plaines from Touhy Avenue on the south to Golf Road on the north. Most of the trail is located on Cook County Forest Preserve property. Improvements include constructing a 12-ft. wide multi-use trail with a fine, crushed limestone surface and dirt shoulders for horse travel. Users will be able to walk and ride bicycles on the path. Other improvements include increasing safety of the trail crossings at major roadways, placement of amenities such as points of interest, wayfinding signs and benches, and additional street lighting along Campground/Joseph Schwab Road.
Bids from 11 engineering consulting firms were received by the city. After the review, the committee decided that Civiltech should be hired.
The Riverwalk is an idea that's been aggressively pursued by Mayor Tony Arredia and supported by most aldermen as a way of promoting the city and to provide recreational opportunities. Much of the trail would be located near or along the Des Plaines River. Part of the project includes an asphalt walkway/bike path near the Miner Street bridge and river just east of downtown. That segment should be completed in June and open for public use.
Most of the financing comes through a $1,048,000 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program grant the city has been awarded.
According to City Engineer Tim Oakley, the city expects to receive an additional $300,000 state grant for the project. Construction of improvements is expected to begin in 2009.