In November 2019, the Village received approval from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) for federal funding under the Transportation Alternatives Program - Local (TAP-L) for the Buffalo Creek Multi-Use Trail Extension Project. Of the estimated $247,875 construction cost, the Village has been approved for $198,300 in TAP-L funding. To access the grant funds, the Village must enter into a Local Public Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with the Illinois Department of Transportation and appropriate $50,000 to the Buffalo Creek Trail Extension Project to cover the Village’s share.

This project is located at the intersection of Lake Cook Rd and Wilke Rd in Arlington Heights.  Improvements include modifications to the existing Wilke/Lake Cook Road traffic signal to provide pedestrian signalization on both Wilke Road and Lake Cook Road, installation of ADA ramps, painted crosswalks on Lake Cook Road and Wilke Road, and an eight foot wide multi-use trail. The multi-use trail will extend approximately 500 feet from Lake Cook Road into the Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve, safely connecting the Village of Arlington Heights bikeway system to the existing Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve trail system. This connection will provide access to the 408-acre preserve which has a network of four miles of crushed-gravel existing trails and an additional 1.2 miles currently under construction. 

Funds are available in the following account: Capital Projects Fund - Pedestrian/ Bicycle Crossing - Lake Cook/ Wilke Rd - 401-7101-571.50-30 (SG-18-01) $49,575

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board approve the attached Resolution Approving the Local Public Agency Agreement and Appropriating $50,000 to the Buffalo Creek Trail Extension project.