Route 137 regional trail link being studied
Trails for biking and hiking usually are associated with forest preserves, but the road building arm of county government is seeking public input on what would be a key connection between regional systems.
The Lake County Division of Transportation oversees about 60 miles of bike paths and adds them during road reconstruction and widening projects whenever possible and in some instances, plans new trails. The agency's ambitious plan to connect the Des Plaines River Trail near Libertyville with the Robert McClory Bike Path at Sheridan Road in Highland Park would provide convenient access for thousands of residents in several communities.
The proposal also represents new possibilities for a situation the Lake County Forest Preserve District has struggled for years to solve.
A public information meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Independence Grove Forest Preserve, 16400 W. Buckley Road (Route 137), Libertyville. During the session, visitors can view and draw on aerial maps, comment on potential alignments or other aspects of the project or talk with staff.
"It's really just to let the public know we're studying this corridor," said Chuck Gleason, project manager for LCDOT.
Details are far from settled, but the preliminary estimate is $16 million for the 5.5-mile path. For example, whether it would be best located on the north or south side of Route 137 is to be determined. Getting over or around the Des Plaines River, the Tri-State Tollway, railroad tracks, high tension power lines and the busy intersection at Route 41 are among the potential challenges, Gleason said.
The trail would connect Libertyville, Green Oaks, Waukegan and North Chicago.
"Eventually, we would like to have some of the municipalities and park district tie into it, and the forest preserves will be tying in," Gleason said.
Randy Seebach, director of planning and land preservation for the forest preserve district, said discussions have been held for more than 10 years with residents in several subdivisions south of Route 137 and east of the river to provide access through the Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve to the Des Plaines River Trail and Independence Grove. The forest district also has been working with Libertyville Township on ways to connect Linholm Park to the Des Plaines River Trail.
"Many of the possible alternatives we looked at represent significant challenges, including high construction costs and impacts to high-quality wetlands, floodplain and forest," Seebach said. "Consequently, the potential for a Route 137 path represents new life for an effort that we have struggled to find an appropriate solution."
The division of transportation looks for ways to connect to established paths, and in the recently completed Rollins Road project in Round Lake Beach took the path beyond the project limits to do so.
In recent weeks, the division of transportation launched a new bike app and website, according to spokeswoman Brooke Hooker. Visit httop://www.lakecountyil.gov/transportation/bikelakecounty.
Hooker said the motivation for prioritizing bike paths is as an alternative mode of transportation so if people can bike to their destination, there are fewer vehicles on the road.