'Significant' expansion planned for Round Lake-area bike trail
The Millennium Trail could be extended by more than three miles in separate sections near Round Lake and Round Lake Beach pending approval of contracts totaling more than $2 million.
One project would extend the trail 2.5 miles northeast from Litchfield Drive, near the Marl Flat Forest Preserve, to Fairfield Park operated by the Round Lake Area Park District.
"It's really significant for us," said Jeff Nehila, executive director of the park district. "Fairfield Park will serve not only the trail users but the park users."
Aside from offering a western access, the extension would allow for a redesign of the 18-hole disc golf course at Fairfield Park, he added.
The project includes about a mile of 12-foot-wide asphalt trail with one crossing at Nippersink Road, and about 1.5 miles of gravel trail. A 210-foot timber bridge over Squaw Creek and a 150-foot wetland boardwalk are part of the project.
Several neighborhoods in the area will be able to access the trail, which at some point will be connected to Marl Flat about three-quarters of a mile away.
Midwest Golf Development Inc., of Marengo, was the lowest responsible bidder out of six bids at about $1.33 million. The original estimate was nearly $1.9 million. Work is expected to begin in early August, with completion in July 2011.
The second project will connect Rollins Savanna west to Grayslake North High School and to the intersection of Rollins Road and Hook Drive, which will allow access from the east side of Round Lake Beach.
It consists of about a third of a mile of asphalt trail and two-thirds of a mile of gravel trail, as well as a 200-foot wetland boardwalk. A short connection also will allow the high school cross country team to access Rollins Savanna for training. Work is expected to begin in early August, to be completed by the end of May 2011.
Maneval Construction Company Inc., of Grayslake, was the lowest responsible bidder of five at $687,344. The original estimate was $1 million.
Both projects are examples of very competitive bidding by contractors in a tight economy, according to Mike Fenelon, the district's director of planning, conservation and development.
Those savings will be kept in the specific project fund until it is complete and then will be reallocated to other projects.
The first section of the Millennium Trail opened in 2002 to hikers, bikers, equestrians and cross county skiers. It is planned as a 35-mile connector linked to the McClory and Des Plaines River trails and is about half complete.
The forest preserve district's planning and restoration committee recommended approval of the contracts Thursday. The full board will consider them July 14.