Schaumburg committee OKs path, road work

Schaumburg village officials on Thursday approved the construction of a $1 million bike path project and a $3.2 million road reconstruction, with both projects receiving significant federal funding.

The village board's Engineering and Public Works Committee authorized a deal with the Illinois Department of Transportation that will cost the village $208,173 to construct bike paths along Irving Park and Higgins roads. Federal funds will pay for the remaining $832,691 of the $1 million project.

Steven Weinstock, director of Engineering & Public Works, said the project will allow bicyclists and pedestrians to take a path all the way to the village Metra station or Alexian Field, home of the Schaumburg Flyers.

“It is a good project to provide alternative transportation to a car,” Weinstock said.

Work is scheduled to begin in April 2011 and expected to be complete by the fall.

The committee also approved initial plans for the total reconstruction of Walnut Lane between Golf and Bode roads. The project, which will cost $3.5 million, will receive 70 percent funding from the federal government, with the village paying the rest.

The project will narrow the 12-foot wide road and 10-foot shared parking and bike lane into one 11-foot lane and a 5-foot bike lane in each direction. A 10-foot two-way left turn lane will be added, along with parking lanes where needed.

The plan also calls for a new storm sewer, along with the addition of a pedestrian crosswalk and the removal of a stop sign.

The village held several public meetings leading up to Thursday's vote in which residents voiced concerns about parking and the stop sign's removal. Residents of the Sheffield Towne Homeowners Association Board continued to voice their concern over the removal of the stop sign this week.

The Walnut Lane project is scheduled for construction in fiscal year 2014-15.

Both projects are pending final approval from the village board at its Oct. 26 meeting.