Pedestrian bridge connects two DuPage forest preserves

A new pedestrian bridge has opened over County Farm Road in Hanover Park that connects Mallard Lake and Hawk Hollow forest preserves, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County officials said.

A new 1-mile trail at Mallard Lake connects the bridge to existing trails at the preserve and provides a missing link in the greater 35-mile North Central DuPage Regional Trail, which eventually will connect Cook County to the West Branch DuPage River Trail.

"This bridge and connecting trail improve safety and accessibility to our preserves," forest preserve President Joe Cantore said. "It's an important link for bicyclists and all trail users."

The project was awarded $500,000 from DuPage County; a $1 million grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; $1.98 million in federal funding through the Surface Transportation Program; and $1.28 million in funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.

"By securing funding from outside sources, we completed this project in the most cost-efficient manner and saved DuPage County taxpayers money while providing them with an additional way to connect to nature," Commissioner Al Murphy said.