State announces $52.7 million of "transportation enhancement" projects

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In the past week, the state committed to funding a variety of important biking and pedestrian projects through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). The 71 projects are receiving support that totals $52.7 million. ""

Unfortunately, a new proposal to expand the Divvy bike sharing program in a couple of nearby suburbs and some Chicago neighborhoods was not included.

ITEP is federally funded and supports bike paths, walking trails, transit improvements, historic preservation and streetscape beautification projects.

Here are some of our favorite projects. Here's the complete list. 

  • Aurora: Kautz Rd. Multi-Use Path extension
  • Berwyn: East Ave. bike plan implementation, sidewalk improvements, citywide bike route signs, Berwyn Depot District beautification
  • Countryside: Brainard Ave. Multi-Use Path
  • Des Plaines: U.S. Route 12 (Rand Rd.) Sidepath
  • Du Page Co. Forest Preserves: County Farm Rd. bridge and trail improvements connecting Hawk Hollow and Mallard Lake Forest Preserves
  • Du Page Co. Forest Preserves: West Branch Regional Trail – Winfield Mounds to West DuPage Woods.
  • Evanston: Sheridan Rd./Chicago Ave. Bike Path
  • Glenview: Shermer Rd. Bike Path
  • Highland Park: Robert McClory Trail paving, Bike-Walk 2030 sharrows and signage
  • Lakemoor: Wegner-Darrell Pedestrian/Bike Path
  • Northbrook: On-street bicycle signs and pavement markings
  • Prospect Heights: Willow Rd. sidewalk improvement project
  • Rolling Meadows: Euclid Ave. Bike Path connecting to the Salt Creek Trail
  • Skokie: Howard St. Multi-Use Trail
  • University City: multi-use trail
  • Western Springs: Bemis Woods Bike Path extension to Wolf Rd. and Ogden Ave.

A proposal to expand the Divvy bike sharing network to the suburbs of Oak Park and Evanston, and the Chicago communities of Rogers Park, West Rogers Park, Austin and Garfield Park was not approved. Up to 66 bike share stations would have been added in these new service areas, including the first suburban locations.

Oak Park and Evanston border Chicago, which creates the opportunity for Divvy trips between Chicago and these communities. Moreover, both suburbs have high densities and ample transit stations, which are key ingredients for generating bike share trips that occur solely within each suburb, such as biking between neighborhoods and train stations or the local library.

Despite the setback, we think this expansion will eventually happen. The communities are already exploring other funding options. 

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