The Lake County Forest Preserves and Forest Preserves of Cook County are seeking public input on a proposed project to rehabilitate the elevated Des Plaines River Trail approaches on both sides of the bridge over Lake Cook Road and make minor repairs to the bridge itself.

The agencies are pursuing up to $5 million in state funding for the $7.33 million project. A brief survey is available through September 18 at surveymonkey.com/r/LakeCookBikePedBridge. Responses will help demonstrate community support and strengthen the funding application.

Built in the mid-1990s, the crossing provides a vital connection between the trail systems in Lake and Cook counties.

The Lake County Forest Preserves would serve as the lead agency and apply for up to $5 million through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. The two forest preserve agencies would share an estimated $2.33 million in local project costs.

The improvements are expected to extend the life of the crossing by 75 to 100 years. If the project does not receive state funding, the agencies would explore other options to fund the needed work.

The Lake County Forest Preserves protects land along more than 76% of the Des Plaines River in Lake County, providing wildlife habitat, natural flood protection and outdoor recreation. The 31.4-mile gravel trail winds through 12 forest preserves, stretching from Russell Road in Wadsworth south to Lake Cook Road, where it continues into Cook County.

Completing the trail in Lake County was a 54-year effort involving 142 land acquisitions totaling more than 4,900 acres. The final section opened in 2015, creating an uninterrupted trail spanning Lake County from north to south.

Take Survey

Media Contact: Kim Mikus, [email protected], 847-968-3202

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