The Cook County Board of Commissioners have approved funding for transportation projects and initiatives led by the County's Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH). The DoTH has advanced a wide array of projects across all phases, addressing present and future transportation needs.
According to Cook County Government, these vital projects will boost economic development, build up regional transportation and improve the quality of life throughout Cook County. Improvements will include:
Chicago Transit Authority
DoTH is partnering with the Chicago Transit Authority to begin work associated with their $401,550 award for design engineering of the Cicero Avenue grade crossing enhancement project of the Pink Line in Cicero, Illinois. This will include the following:
- Upgrades to the signal system
- Roadway & pedestrian gate mechanisms
Village of Niles
DoTH is partnering with the Village of Niles to begin work associated with their $225,000 award for construction and construction engineering to extend the North Branch Trail 0.3 miles. This extension begins at the intersection of Touhy and Caldwell Avenues and will connect with the trail at the Bunker Hill picnic grove to create better access to local destinations in Niles and the City of Chicago.
City of Palos Heights
DoTH is partnering with the City of Palos Heights to begin work associated with their $60,000 award for construction and construction engineering at the intersection of Ridgeland Avenue and College Drive. Improvements will include:
- New traffic signals
- Upgraded sidewalks
These improvements will create a safe way to access the Cal-Sag Trail, the Ridgeland Avenue multi-use path and the Tinley Creek Trail System.
Elk Grove Village
The board approved a partnership agreement between DoTH and Arrow Road Construction Company for the following pavement improvements:
- Replace curb and gutter
- Provide ADA sidewalk improvements
Other improvements include resurfacing the following roadways in the north suburbs:
- Euclid Avenue at North Wolf Road
- Central Road from New Wilke Road to Arlington Heights Road
- Schaumburg Road from Meacham Road to Martingale Road
- Schaumburg Road from Sutton Road to East Avenue
- Euclid Avenue from Roselle Road to Plum Grove Road
- Nerge Road from Roselle Road to Rohlwing Road
- Roselle Road from Euclid Avenue to Palatine Road
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and Patrick Engineering in Lisle, Illinois, to conduct a preliminary engineering and environmental study of a 5-mile corridor along Kedzie Avenue from Vollmer Road to 159th Street within the villages of Flossmoor, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Olympia Fields and the City of Markham. The study will explore:
- Pavement reconstruction
- New sidewalks along the corridor
- Traffic signal upgrades
The Board also approved a partnership between DoTH and BLA Inc. in Itasca, Illinois, to conduct a preliminary engineering and environmental study of the Sauk Village multi-use path. This study will explore alternatives for a new path along Cottage Grove Avenue, Sauk Trail, Cornell Avenue and 223rd Street in Sauk Village and the Village of Steger.
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and Western Remac in Woodridge, Illinois, for a 3-year contract to oversee signage maintenance and installations along roadways within Cook County's jurisdiction.
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and Preform Traffic Control Systems Ltd. in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, for a 3-year contract to provide pavement marking maintenance and installations on roadways within Cook County's jurisdiction. Markings include lane lines, stop bars and cross walks.