Cal-Sag Trail Opens in Chicago South Suburbs

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The western half of the Calumet-Sag Trail (dubbed the Cal-Sag Trail) in Chicago’s south suburbs opened this past weekend.
The western half of the Calumet-Sag Trail (dubbed the Cal-Sag Trail) in Chicago’s south suburbs opened this past weekend.

Here is a bit of good news for hikers and cyclists. The western half of the Calumet-Sag Trail (dubbed the Cal-Sag Trail) in Chicago’s south suburbs is open for business.

“The federal funding secured by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) early on was the catalyst needed to put this project on the fast track,” said Debbie Stoffregen, current President of the Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail. "(This day) wouldn't have been possible without his support.”

The 13-mile paved pathway (trail) runs between Route 83 (Archer Avenue) in Lemont and Freedom Park (just east of Cicero Avenue) in Alsip, Ill.

Durbin supported the Cal-Sag Trail project since its early stages helping secure $22.7 million in federal funding over the course of the project.

“Since I first met with community members about the Cal-Sag Trail nearly a decade ago, I have worked to secure the federal funds needed to make it a reality,” Durbin said in a press release announcement. “Trails that provide recreation opportunities for walkers, runners and cyclists are growing in popularity across our state and it’s easy to see why. If you want to keep health care costs down, give people a beautiful space to exercise. If you want to prevent bumper-to-bumper traffic, create a scenic trail so people can bike to work or to school or to the store. The Cal-Sag is more than a trail, it is a treasure. I congratulate the Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail and all who have worked so hard to make this day happen.”

The Cal-Sag Trail will connect to several other trails as well, including the largely forested Centennial Trail on its western end and the Burnham Greenway, on its eastern end close to the state’s border with Indiana.

Described as the primary east-west multi-purpose trail in the south suburbs built almost entirely along the banks of the Cal-Sag Channel and Calumet River, once fully completed, the Cal-Sag Trail will connect 14 communities and 450,000 people, linking regional recreational trails.

Seven miles of the 13-mile west segment is in the Forest Preserves of Cook County from Lemont to Palos Park. The preserves offer an additional connection to a number of other trail systems within the region.

“The Cal-Sag Trail is an example of the benefits that can come when communities, non-profit organizations and government agencies work together on a common goal,” said Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President. "The Cal-Sag Trail offers a vital east-west trail connection for residents of south suburban Cook County, and also provides them with an opportunity to connect to the network of trails within our Forest Preserves.”

Eighty percent of the $10 million cost for the western portion of the trail was paid for by federal funds.

Construction on the trail’s eastern segments will continue over the next two years (2015-2017). Eventually, the trail will be 26 miles and extend to Burnham, Il.

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