Bike and Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Project

The Village's Comprehensive Plan envisions a number of key amenities that will help bring our community together. One item is a plan for a better-connected trail system and a bridge to cross Route 59 safely. This will help to expand out existing path system (click here to see our general Bike Map). The Village held a number of public meetings to get input from the community regarding this proposed bridge and trail. During these meetings, residents asked questions and offered suggestions and input on the proposed bike and pedestrian plan and design options for the proposed bridge over Route 59. View a summary of the forum results.

The Village also held an open house to review details of the project and gather feedback from residents on proposed treatments and amenities to be offered. Residents reviewed the proposals, discussed the project, and offered feedback and suggestions. Review the feedback provided.

The improvements are part of the Village’s Comprehensive Plan and include a new trail connection at Irving Park Road and Madison Drive. This trail will connect to a new pedestrian and bicycle path and bridge that takes travelers across Route 59 to the existing path system on the west side of Route 59. 

Work on the piers, braces, and boardwalk began in the summer. On September 11, large cranes and crews set the remaining steel trusses over Route 59 for the new pedestrian bridge and overpass. The next phase of the project requires pouring the concrete bridge deck. Connecting the electrical lines lights, adding decorative elements, and restoring the wetlands will finish the project. Wayfinding signage will be included as part of our overall plan. The entire project is on track for completion by the end of October. 

The bridge project is part of our overall goal of bringing our community together. Integral to this endeavor has been an assessment of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities. We worked with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and the Village of Bartlett, to develop an inventory, assessment, and prioritization of existing, planned, and future pathway connections (click here for final report).

We are pleased to note that the majority of the funds needed to construct this project (80%) are grant funds. The balance has been earmarked and saved to ensure no direct impact on our taxpayers. The Village Board is very excited about this important work - connecting our community!

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