On Thursday, the State of Illinois awarded the Village of Park Forest $2.45 million for the 26th Street Multi-Use Path Project.
This project will extend the shared-use path from the intersection of Westwood and Norwood Boulevard, running east along 26th Street. It will cross Western Avenue at a signalized intersection before continuing east on 26th Street to connect with the Thorn Creek Trail within the Cook County Forest Preserve.
Nick Christie, assistant director of the Department of Public Works, mentioned that the bike path is part of a larger construction plan aimed at extending a bike path along Forest Boulevard during its reconstruction. This initiative is designed to attract more bike traffic to the DownTown area. He noted that in the past year, the Village has secured $3.7 million in Federal Surface Transportation funds for the reconstruction of Westwood Drive, as well as $3 million in Illinois Enhancement Program funds for similar improvements to Forest Boulevard.
Christie mentioned that construction for this project is still a few years away. Currently, they are in Phase 1, which focuses on the engineering aspect of the project. This phase is funded by the Invest in Cook funds. Phases 2 and 3 are expected to take place over the next several years, with construction potentially beginning in the spring of 2028.
In a press release, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that the funding for Park Forest is part of the $139.2 million allocated through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) to expand local travel options and enhance the quality of life in communities across the state.
“The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program is a crucial part of Rebuild Illinois, helping to make travel safer and more accessible in the communities that need it most,” said Governor Pritzker. “Today, I’m proud to announce the largest investment in the program’s history, with more than $139 million going toward bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, and other local improvements. This is just one part of the state’s larger effort to reverse decades of disinvestment and create more connected communities.”
The 66 projects approved through ITEP include bike and pedestrian paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other initiatives designed to promote safe travel across various modes of transportation at the local level. Thanks to Rebuild Illinois, an unprecedented amount of funding was made available during the competitive call for projects, with approximately 74% allocated for improvements in communities that demonstrate the greatest financial need.