State funding $3.5 million in Des Plaines River Trail upgrades

Des Plaines will receive $1.9 million in state funding to create a sidepath giving pedestrians and bicyclists safer and more direct access to the Des Plaines River Trail, state Sen. Laura Murphy announced Monday.

The path will be constructed along the north side of Oakton Street between Des Plaines River Road and the trail, which spans 55 miles from the Wisconsin border to central Cook County.

"The Des Plaines River Trail is one of the area's most popular routes for families and commuters," Murphy, a Democrat from Des Plaines, said in the announcement. "These improvements will make it safer and easier for residents to enjoy miles of natural beauty."

An additional $1.6 million will make improvements to Segment 2 of the trail through Rosemont.

The improvements are funded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, for which the Illinois Department of Transportation has selected 99 projects totaling $105.7 million.