Bike path bridge over Salt Creek closed until late fall

Bicyclists who frequent the bike path bridge over Salt Creek along Busse Woods and Golf Road in Rolling Meadows are going to have to endure a couple months of inconvenience this fall.

As IDOT's repairs to the roadway bridge moved to the south side, the bike and pedestrian bridge itself became inaccessible Wednesday.

The repairs won't be complete until after October, IDOT officials said.

Bicyclist Don Michehl of Arlington Heights said he was annoyed to find the bridge closed just before Labor Day weekend, when many people might be trying to use the path to reach Busse Woods Forest Preserve by bicycle.

"They should have waited until after Labor Day," he said.

IDOT Resident Technician Joe Novotny acknowledged that there is a period of inconvenience ahead, but added that IDOT couldn't logistically build in a delay between work on one part of the roadway bridge and another.

Novotny pointed out that the bridge is at the far eastern end of the bike path around Busse Woods, and that those who really want to use the path can bring their bikes to the parking lot area farther west.

Some bicyclists Wednesday were briefly taking to Golf Road itself to ride around the construction barricades and the absent bike path bridge, though that could pose a safety risk. A sidewalk on the opposite side of Golf is also available to those uncomfortable riding in the road.