Civiltech’s Transportation Planning team closed out 2023 with the completion of the Des Plaines River Trail Central Feasibility Study. Civiltech provided bicycle and planning services to Active Transportation Alliance and Cook County as part of a study that explored closing a 2.5-mile gap in the trail connecting the Forest Park Blue Line Station, Illinois Prairie Path, and Salt Creek Trail near 26th Street.
The team identified and evaluated four potential alignments to fill the gap. The study also provided implementation steps, including potential funding strategies, to ensure that the trail construction is achievable and the vision realized.
The project had support from major stakeholders, including the Forest Preserves of Cook County, surrounding municipalities, such as Maywood and Broadview, Pace and CTA. Despite numerous physical obstacles, such as cemeteries, the Des Plaines River, railroads, and roadways not under local jurisdiction, the project team worked closely with the Steering Committee and community members to develop trail alignments that have extensive local interest and advocacy. 
More detail on the study project is available on Civiltech’s website here. The final plan can be viewed on the Active Transportation Alliance website here.
The Civiltech team looks forward to the forthcoming resulting engineering projects and to the implementation of the proposed alignments. As always, our ultimate client is the end user, and we celebrate the day the trail gap is completed and users from all the impacted communities enjoy safe and reliable bike and pedestrian access to the many key destinations served.