Elk Grove Village completes multi-use sidepath along Meacham Road
On Thursday, June 1, Elk Grove Village officials joined Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison and officials from the County's Department of Transportation and Highways to celebrate the completion of the new eight-foot wide sidepath along the eastern side of Meacham Road. The new sidepath spans from Texas Street to I-390 and improves accessibility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists while also bringing aesthetic improvements.
Meacham Road is a major community roadway, providing passage to various commercial locations on the western side of Elk Grove Village and connecting the community to neighboring areas. Construction of the new path includes enhanced crosswalks, new pedestrian signals and push buttons, ADA upgrades, driveway replacements and landscape enhancements along the east parkway.
The village received a $500,000 grant from the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways through the Invest in Cook grant program to support this project. Invest in Cook helps support transportation improvement projects consistent with the priorities of the county's Connecting Cook County long-range transportation plan.
"I believe that investments in pathways for pedestrians and cyclists are investments in community safety. That's why I am pleased to have helped make this project a reality," said Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison. "Connecting Cook County allows us to support transportation infrastructure improvements in communities across Cook County."
"Invest in Cook was created for projects like this one, providing the partnership between the county and village to deliver projects that offer residents the ability to safely walk, run, and bike for recreation as well as everyday needs," said Jennifer "Sis" Killen, superintendent of the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways. "Side paths like this one are part of a larger vision outlined in the county's newly released Bike Plan to ensure that residents have safe, equitable access to bike paths in their community."
This project connects to the Biesterfield Road multiuse path that was completed in 2021. Improving sidepaths along major thoroughfares in the community increases safety and accessibility of pedestrian and bicyclist travel. Additionally, improvements to crosswalks such as adding pedestrian signals enhance the visibility of crossing pedestrians to motorists, minimizing the risk of accidents.
"Investing in infrastructure that supports safety and accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists supports the well-being and quality of life for everyone in our community," said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson. "This project builds on the improvements completed on Biesterfield Road last year and shows how we are working to create a more walkable and bike-friendly community. We thank Commissioner Kevin Morrison for his continued support of the village's efforts to enhance our community's transportation infrastructure."