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Multimodal transportation

We would like to express our enthusiasm for the Daily Herald's Feb. 18 editorial, "Growing the suburban trail system." In addition to the efforts by Lake, Cook and Du­Page counties to expand their trail systems, the Northwest Municipal Conference Multimodal Transportation Plan sets the stage for significant expansion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the Northwest suburbs, and is worthy of recognition. The NWMC represents over 1.2 million residents across 43 communities and 300 square miles of the Northwest Chicago metropolitan region.

The goal of the plan is to further collaboration across municipal boundaries and provide shared data and tools to improve regional bicycle and pedestrian connectivity. With the help of our member communities, stakeholders and residents, we collected data and performed a detailed analysis that helped us identify priority bicycle corridors to better connect the region's existing system of trails and create a comprehensive bicycle network. In addition, the plan evaluated sidewalks along major roads and surrounding transit stops to identify and close key barriers and gaps, and developed a toolbox of resources for communities to assess a range of both short-term and long-term implementation strategies.

Effective planning does not happen in silos. NWMC is using its role as a facilitator of intergovernmental cooperation to actively build on past plans and engage individual communities to implement the Multimodal Plan's recommendations. We encourage residents, stakeholders, and government leaders to continue their support and commitment to expanding bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and help create a more connected, equitable, and healthy region. We invite the public to view the plan by visiting www.nwmcmultimodalplan.org.

Mark L. Fowler, Executive Director

Northwest Municipal Conference

Des Plaines

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