THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008

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City To Add Bicycle Path Along Central Rd.

Des Plaines city officials are expected to approve the hiring of a Rosemont company Monday night to prepare plans for a new bicycle path along a stretch of Central Road that's also earmarked for resurfacing this month. Central Road is located on Des Plaines' far north side.

City Engineer Tim Oakley is recommending that the city hire SPACECO, Inc. to prepare design plans for the project that will be built on both sides of Central Road from Timothy Lane east to East River Road. The projected design price is $78,052.34 with Des Plaines paying that full amount. Several months ago the city applied for and received a $452,000 grant to reduce congestion and improve air quality. Under terms of the grant, the city must provide 25% of that sum to pay for eligible projects. That 25% amounts to $113,000. The $78,000 expense will be applied to the $113,000 total.

The Illinois Dept. of Transportation is expected to begin resurfacing Central Road in Des Plaines from Wolf to the Tri-State Tollway in late August.

When that occurs, the 4 to 6-feet bikes lanes will be added on each side. Once the bike lanes are in place, they will connect to an existing bike lane on Central Road west of Wolf.

The project will also provide a connection to an existing dirt trail located on the south side of Central west of East River Road. People will be able to walk that trail south to Golf Road where it connects with another trail that will be widened and improved next year. That segment will become part of the new Des Plaines Riverwalk that will proceed south eventually reaching Touhy Avenue. People will be able to hike, bike and ride horses on that trail.