Lindenhurst receives grant to build bike path on Grand Avenue

An asphalt bike path is planned for a four-mile stretch of Grand Avenue from Munn Road to Deep Lake Road — a project Lindenhurst residents have labeled as a number-one priority.

The connection, which links Engle Memorial Park to the Lake Villa District Library, received the priority designation in the Lindenhurst Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Comprehensive Plan created based on public input in 2008.

“I don’t believe there’s a safe route or safe way for anybody to get to the library on a bicycle — and that’s just one (example),” said Tom Lippert, executive director of the Lindenhurst Park District. “(The path) is going to make it that much easier for the public to get around, without having to hop into a vehicle, and get there safely.”

The project is funded by a $250,000 state grant the village received a month ago. The money, which State Rep. Sandy Cole, a Grayslake Republican, helped secure, comes from a 2009 bond sale.

“This $250,000 grant is part of a larger state capital improvement program designed to assist in building and improving worthy local infrastructure projects,” Cole said in a news release.

Village Administrator Matt Formica said the grant money will be put toward the construction costs, and the balance will be paid with village community capital funds.

To offset local funding, the village has also applied for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant, which would potentially cover up to 80 percent of the project, said Assistant Village Administrator Karl Warwick.

Currently, the project is undergoing phase one design engineering, which will cost the village $66,000, and will help provide a total cost estimate. Preliminary estimates for the project are more than $700,000, Warwick said.

Formica said he anticipates the project will take three to four months to complete. Construction is expected to start by the fall or early spring.

“I think obviously it’s been identified as a major linkage, (and) we’re excited about moving forward with the project,” he said. “We think this will be a valuable community amenity.”