New bike lanes now open in Lombard

Nearly two miles of bike-friendly road markings have been unveiled in Lombard, representing the first of several similar projects scheduled to be completed over the next two years in the village.

Director of Public Works Carl Goldsmith said the markings are a combination of solid white lines that dedicate a portion of the road to bike travel only and "shared lane" markings that remind motorists to share the road with bicyclists.

The markings can be found along Madison Street, between Edson and Addison avenues. They were completed in conjunction with a concrete rehabilitation project that has been ongoing this summer on Madison Street, east of Westmore-Meyers Road.

Goldsmith said the village covered the cost of the striping, which amounted to about $15,500. Village officials are hopeful, however, that Lombard will receive grant money to cover the cost of future bike-friendly projects, such as the creation of protected bike lanes that are physically separated from car traffic on Westmore-Meyers, between St. Charles and Roosevelt roads.

Other projects identified in Lombard's first villagewide bicycle and pedestrian plan - which was approved earlier this year by the village board - include a bicycle boulevard on Elizabeth Street and new bicycle lanes on Grace Street, which will cost about $56,000. There also are plans for a new bike lane on Maple Street and bicycle boulevards on Sunset Avenue and Wilson Road that will cost about $49,000.

Goldsmith said the projects that are expected to be completed in 2017 and 2018 will add another 11 miles of designated bike lanes in the village. A 2017-26 capital improvement plan for the village also suggests adding another 45 miles of designated bicycle lanes and boulevards during that 9-year period.

"We're glad to have these new additions to our community," Trustee Dan Whittington said in a statement. "We're fortunate to have two major bike trails running through our town and bicycling is a big part of our neighborhood. We're looking forward to seeing how these new lanes and the bicycle and pedestrian project continue to benefit alternatives to driving within Lombard."