Along for the Ride: Cook Co. invests more than $1.5M in suburban biking infrastructure

Posted September 10, 2025 7:32 pm

By Ralph Banasiak, Along for the Ride

Invest In Cook funding will help address two key gaps on the Des Plaines/Salt Creek Trail system. Courtesy of Forest Preserves of Cook County

Cook County boosted biking to the tune of over $1.5 million when Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways recently announced Invest In Cook grants for five suburbs and the Forest Preserve District.

Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Oak Park and Streamwood earned project construction funds, while design funds were awarded to Niles and the forest preserve’s Des Plaines/Salt Creek Trail system. Nearly $8.3 million was granted for 32 transportation-related projects this year.

Since 2017, the Invest In Cook initiative, part of the Connecting Cook County — Long Range Transportation Plan, has invested nearly $73 million in 310 transportation projects.

North from Streamwood's Jefferson Street, an 1,800-foot multiuse path will be constructed along Bartlett Road, funded in part by Invest In Cook funds. Courtesy of village of Streamwood

Bartlett Road path

Streamwood was awarded $250,000 in construction funds for multimodal improvements along Bartlett Road, from Streamwood Boulevard to Timber Trail, including a 10-foot path in the west parkway with LED pedestrian lighting. This path will complete an 1,800-foot connection between Streamwood and regional facilities.

“The new path will replace an existing sidewalk and fill in a gap between Jefferson and Timber Trail. Intersection of Streamwood and Bartlett roads will also be improved for pedestrian and bicycle access,” said Public Works director and village engineer Matt Mann.

Already initiated engineering work should be complete in October 2026. Construction is expected to start in April 2027 and finish that October. Total project cost, including engineering, is $1.15 million. Streamwood also secured $250,000 in Safe Routes to School funding for the same area.

Signage, bike logos and street markings designate Oak Park's Neighborhood Greenways at Kenilworth and Pleasant streets. Courtesy of Donna Oswald

Oak Park’s Neighborhood Greenways

Oak Park was awarded $250,000 to help fund construction in 2026 of its Neighborhood Greenway-Bike Boulevards. Per village engineer Bill McKenna, the system has been under construction since 2023. According to the July 2025 Oak Park Bike Plan Update, it’s a network of low traffic, residential streets designed to prioritize bicycle travel and improve safety for riders of all ages/abilities.

Improvements include designated lane makings, signage, biker/pedestrian activated flashing beacons, speed limit reductions, curb bump-outs and other traffic calming facilities.

Design for approximately 10.6 miles of 2026 work is underway, with the village expected to seek bids in early 2026, begin construction next summer and finish in October. Estimated cost of the 2026 work is $2.5 million, with local capital improvement funds planned for the project.

In the Cook County Forest Preserves, $218,000 in design engineering funds from Invest in Cook will help address two significant gaps in the Des Plaines/Salt Creek Trail system near Riverside and Brookfield: an 0.85-mile stretch between Parkview Road and Ogden Avenue, and 0.59 miles between Millbridge Road and Ogden Avenue.

Completion timelines are unavailable this early in the design phase. Current cost estimate for construction is $1.7 million, including a new bridge over Salt Creek and a segment of boardwalk.

Niles Oakton Path Improvements

Niles received an $80,000 grant for design of a shared-use, 10-foot path extending 2,200-feet from Waukegan Road to Caldwell Avenue on Oakton Street’s south side. Improvements include ADA accommodations and safety buffers, plus a North Branch Trail connection.

According to Mitch Johnson, Niles communications and multimedia coordinator, the design phase is expected to be complete in 2026. Overall project cost, estimated at $2.9 million, covers detailed design engineering, construction engineering, and construction. Niles anticipates applying for construction and construction engineering funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program and other grants.

Other Cook County suburbs earned construction grants: $416,000 for Oak Forest’s Natalie Creek Trail — Central Avenue Segment, and $306,000 for Oak Lawn Park District’s Wolfe Wildlife Bike Trail.

Several suburbs also earned grants for roadway or pedestrian projects that incorporated biking improvements within scope. Rolling Meadows, for example, was awarded $50,000 in preliminary engineering funds for its Kirchoff Road Diet Plan.

This project aims to implement a road diet, reducing the current five-lane cross-section to three lanes: one in each direction, plus a two-way left-turn lane. Protected bike lanes would hug the curb with on-street parallel parking situated between bike lanes and vehicular traffic.

Wheaton amateur historian Bob Goldsborough provides commentary at W.W. Stevens Park on Wheaton's north side in 2024. South side parks are spotlighted on the upcoming Sept. 20 ride. Courtesy of Bob Van Valzah

Wheaton’s Spoke’n Word

The Wheaton Bicyclist and Pedestrian Commission hosts its annual history ride from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Atten Park Shelter, 1720 S. Wiesbrook. This free event requires participants to sign the digital waiver prior to riding.

Wheaton’s Bob Goldsborough, amateur historian and Chicago Tribune writer, will lead a leisurely 8-10 mile tour of south Wheaton parks, offering historical commentary at each site. In 2024, Goldsborough treated touring bikers to a history of Wheaton's north side parks.

Originating with Wheaton’s 2011 bike plan, the commission has served as community liaison among bikers, city officials and regional groups like the DuPage County Forest Preserve and Illinois Prairie Path. Meeting monthly, its mission has expanded over time to include walking and active transport modes.

The commission has organized group rides and other events, like its bike valet during June’s Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals. Its French Market booth is a familiar sight, where members field biking questions/concerns from fellow riders.

Various historical rides have rolled since 2017, with a 2020 virtual tour during the pandemic about Wheaton’s Underground Railroad History. Others have focused on the Great Fires of Wheaton and Women of Wheaton History.

40th North Shore Century

Evanston Bicycle Club hosts its 40th annual North Shore Century with a choice of century distances: classic — 100 miles, metric — 62, half — 50 or quarter — 25. Unlike prior years, the starting point is Wilmette’s Lakeview Center, 800 Gillson Park Drive.

Like me, you’ll appreciate the flat-to-rolling terrain to Wisconsin, Lake Michigan vistas and the well-stocked rest stops that keep your motor running.

• Join the ride. Contact Ralph Banasiak at alongfortheridemail@gmail.com.