Cook County Board Approves Funding to Improve Transportation Throughout Suburban Cook County

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved funding this week for transportation projects and initiatives led by the County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH). These vital projects boost economic development, build up regional transportation and improve the quality of life throughout Cook County.

2021 Invest in Cook Funding

Village of Lincolnwood
DoTH is partnering with the Village of Lincolnwood to begin work associated with their $70,000 award for the preliminary engineering of the Pratt Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Project over the North Shore Channel. This bridge will provide a safe way to access the nearby Centennial Park Trail and connect the existing shared-use lanes along Pratt Avenue in Lincolnwood and existing bicycle lanes along Pratt Boulevard in Chicago. This bridge will also connect the Village of Lincolnwood and the West Rogers Park community.

Village of Oak Forest
DoTH is partnering with the Village of Oak Forest to begin work associated with their $59,500 award for design engineering and obtaining necessary land easements. Funding also assists with the acquisition of nearly one mile of new sidewalk along four streets within the city to improve access to commercial areas. The streets include:

• Laramie Avenue: 148th Street to 147th Street
• Le Claire Avenue: 151st Street to 149th Street
• Lavergne Avenue: 151st Street to 149th Street
• 149th Street: Lavergne Avenue to Cicero Avenue (Illinois Route 50) 

Pace Suburban Bus
DoTH is partnering with Pace Suburban Bus to begin work associated with their $500,000 award for the Pulse 95th Street Line Environmental Review and Advanced Conceptual Design Project. This project will study transit solutions to improve connectivity and reduce congestion from Moraine Valley Community College to the 95th Street Red Line Station, making transit more efficient.

Town of Cicero
DoTH and the Town of Cicero are partnering to begin work associated with their $245,000 award for construction and construction engineering for the Austin Boulevard Viaduct Improvement Project at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (just north of 31st Street). The project will include the installation of new underpass lighting in addition to roadway and sidewalk upgrades.

Village of Worth
DoTH and the Village of Worth are partnering to begin work associated with their $500,000 award for the construction and construction engineering for nearly one mile of new sidewalk and multi-use paths on the north side of the Cal-Sag Channel between Harlem Avenue and Metra’s Southwest Station in Palos Heights. This project creates a new path between the station and community destinations, recreational areas and the Cal-Sag Trail.

Village of Melrose Park
DoTH and the Village of Melrose Park are partnering to begin work associated with their $566,000 award for the construction and construction engineering for safety improvements at IL-64 (North Avenue) and George Street. Improvements include a realigned intersection, new traffic signals, sidewalks, ADA ramps and a bike path.

Village of Itasca
DoTH and the Village of Itasca are partnering to begin work associated with their $600,000 award for construction and construction engineering to improve the intersections of Devon Avenue and Park Boulevard as well as Park Boulevard and Pierce Road. This project will provide new and extended turn lanes, ADA upgrades and traffic signal-protected crosswalks designed to improve safety and mobility. The improvements will help unsnarl traffic in an important commercial area, helping to support economic development.

Village of Bellwood
DoTH and the Village of Bellwood have partnered to begin work associated with their $231,000 award for design engineering services for the St. Charles Road Improvement Project, which will connect residential and commercial areas in the village. To bring this corridor up to today’s design standards and best serve the community’s needs, the project will resurface the roadway, repair existing drainage and pavement structures as well as sidewalk replacement.

City of Berwyn
DoTH and the City of Berwyn are partnering to begin work associated with their $88,000 award for preliminary engineering services for the 26th Street and Ridgeland Avenue Corridor Improvements Project, on 26th Street from Harlem Avenue to Lombard Avenue as well as Ridgeland Avenue from Ogden Avenue to 26th Avenue. These corridors provide direct access to several transit options in addition to local schools, parks, business areas, churches and municipal buildings. This project will improve sidewalks, streetscaping, curb extensions at intersections that accommodate heavy pedestrian traffic and enhance roadway and pedestrian lighting complete with activated flashing beacons or lighted crosswalks.

Village of Norridge
DoTH and the Village of Norridge are partnering to begin work associated with their $37,500 award for a planning/feasibility study to upgrade the traffic signal at Montrose Avenue and Oriole Avenue. This project will improve safety at the intersection and reduce congestion.

Village of Northlake
DoTH and the Village of Northlake are partnering to begin work associated with their $70,000 award for the land acquisition necessary for the intersection improvements at North Avenue and Railroad Avenue. This area is a central trucking corridor within the village. This project will improve the movement of trucks by implementing modern design standards. Improvements include adding a southbound right turn lane, ADA sidewalk upgrades and new pedestrian crossing signals.

Village of Glenview
DoTH and the Village of Glenview are partnering to begin work associated with their $142,000 award for the construction and construction engineering of pedestrian signal improvements at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Zenith Drive. This intersection is heavily used by pedestrians and bicyclists visiting the numerous nearby park district amenities.

Partnership Agreements

Village of Streamwood
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and the Village of Streamwood for construction and construction engineering for the Illinois Route 19 at Bartlett Road Intersection Improvement Project. The County’s $574,170 contribution allows a $6.3 million project to continue into the construction phase where a center turn lane, new sidewalks and bike paths will be installed along the east of Illinois Route 19.

Village of Richton Park
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and the Village of Richton Park for the design and construction of Steger Road. The County is providing $150,000 in funding for new lighting, signage and pavement patching.

Elk Grove Village
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and the Elk Grove Village for construction on Arlington Heights Road from Turner Avenue to Brantwood Avenue. This project includes the addition of a center turn lane. The County provides $5,054,751 in funding for pavement patching and resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement, drainage improvements, ADA ramps, traffic signals, lighting and landscaping.

Rock Salt Contract
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and Morton Salt, Inc. in Chicago to purchase and deliver bulk rock salt for the four maintenance districts to use during snow and ice operations.

Construction Services
The Board approved a partnership between DoTH and R. W. Dunteman Company in Addison, Illinois, to complete DoTH’s County Line Road Project improvements from Grand Avenue to Lake Street. This project will reconstruct County Line Road, improve drainage and install street lighting. Additional enhancements include a new exit ramp off the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and County Line Road.

For more information about DoTH, visit their website.