Des Plaines River Trail Improvement
City of Des Plaines
Civiltech performed concurrent Phase I and Phase II Engineering services and is currently providing the Phase III Construction Inspection services for the Des Plaines River Trail Improvement. The 3 mile multi-use trail for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians is located within the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s Des Plaines Trail System. The City entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) to provide the design and construction of the trail without the transfer of land. The FPDCC will still own and maintain the trail after construction.
The City of Des Plaines secured Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Recreational Trail Program funding for this project. Therefore, IDOT’s Bureau of Local Roads and Streets procedures for Federal-aid projects were followed.
The Des Plaines River Trail Improvement involves upgrading the existing dirt trail to provide an aggregate trail with limestone screening and to provide way-finding signage for users of the trail. The project also involves increasing safety at the uncontrolled at-grade crossings by providing high visibility pavement markings and advance warning signs. Pedestrian actuations at the intersection of Rand Road and Ballard Road are included as part of this improvement. The Des Plaines River Trail is located within the Des Plaines River flood plain and culverts are included to reduce flooding within wetlands and other low laying areas.
Coordination for this project involved numerous project stakeholders, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, the City of Des Plaines, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and the Des Plaines Historical Society.
The Kirtland Snake (Clonophis kirtlandi) was discovered to be living within the project limits. To minimize the impacts to the Kirtland Snake, IDNR recommended that construction activities occur between April 1st and October 31st.
To view photos from the Grand Opening ceremony, click here.
Funding
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), Recreational Trail Program (RTP)
Scope of Services
- Project Development Report
- Bikeway and Pedestrian Facility Design
- Signal Design
- Interagency Coordination
- Preparation of Contract Plans,
- Specifications and Estimates
- Resident Engineering
- Construction Inspection
- Construction Layout