$52.7 Million Investment in Community Transportation Projects throughout Illinois

Deborah Bayliss | As of Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Village of Riverside's, $818,160 train station project is slated for completion of rehabilitation work on the historic structure thanks to federal funding that Illinois Gov. Quinn announced last week.
The Village of Riverside's, $818,160 train station project is slated for completion of rehabilitation work on the historic structure thanks to federal funding that Illinois Gov. Quinn announced last week.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced a $52.7 million investment in community transportation projects throughout Illinois that is expected to support more than 400 jobs throughout 71 projects, including bike paths, walking trails, historic preservation and streetscape beautification projects with funding from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) – a federally-funded, program that encourages transportation-related projects, according to information released by the governor’s office.

“These projects will support hundreds of jobs while preserving our heritage, beautifying communities and creating opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclists and others across Illinois,” Quinn said. “The projects will help improve the quality of life for everyone, and I commend Senator Durbin and Illinois’ congressional delegation for fighting for this important community funding.”

Designed to promote alternative transportation options, federal funds from the ITEP program are awarded competitively, and any local or state government is eligible to apply.

Local matching funds are required, and work must begin on the projects within three years. For this current round of funding, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) received 232 applications requesting ITEP federal funding totaling nearly $260.5 million. 

“These grants will make our communities better places in which to live and work,” Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider said. “They promote outdoor activity and help make us more proud of what our home towns have to offer.”

Some of the area projects include:   

Village of Riverside’s, $818,160 train station project for completion of rehabilitation work on the historic structure. In early 2013 the village completed a masonry project (tuck pointing) on the main station building and north and south pavilions. The roof is original to the structure and in need of repair.

Calumet City, $191,110

Bike Path/Multi-Use Trail: A 0.78 mile-long trail/bike path will be constructed on Torrence Avenue, located within the corporate boundaries of Calumet City (near River Oaks Mall). The proposed project encourages non-motorized transportation options, as the project directly links to the development of a bike path sponsored by the Cook County Forest Preserve. Both trails connect at the north east corner of Torrence Ave. and 159th Street. 

Village of Riverdale, $2,183,000

Cal-Sag Trail: Halsted/Jackson to Indiana/138th Street Segment: The Calumet-Sag Greenway Trail – Riverdale Segment is part of a much longer trail that begins near Lemont and continues eastward to the Burnham Greenway Trail near the Indiana State Line. The project consists of constructing a 10-foot wide, 26-mile long bike trail along the Calumet-Sag Channel and Little Calumet River corridor. The entire project will be constructed in a number of segments, many of which have already received construction funding with construction expected to begin early in 2014.   

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