Most recent updates: McClory Bike Path news updated Dec. 20. Old Plank Road Trail updated Dec. 13, Nov. 6 and Oct. 30. Salt Creek Trail detour at York Road in Oak Brook added Nov. 4. Checker Road in Long Grove added Oct. 5. Darrell Road roundabout status in Lake County added Sept. 29 and Aug. 26. The North Branch Trail listing was updated Sept. 9. Pictures of Lake Zurich Main Street reconstruction were added Aug. 3.
The reconstruction of a 7-mile section of the Old Plank Road Trail is finished, the Will County forest preserve district announced Dec. 5.
The section from Schoolhouse Road in New Lenox west to its end at Washington Street in Joliet had been closed for a $1.3 million rehabilitation project, the district announced in a late July trail project update. The work began in August and includes Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at street crossings.
The forest preserve district of Will County posted a video update of progress on the trail Oct. 25, and a longer, explanatory video on Nov. 6.
The closure left a major section of a major south suburban trail out of commission for regular users for a few months. As one Facebook commenter told the forest district, “That’s my main route, but super excited to have it smoothed out!”
The forest district also said the trail connection from Old Plank Road Trail to the Hickory Creek Bikeway at Hickory Creek Junction also would be repaved.
The Old Plank trail, the first rail-to-trail conversion in Will County, stretches 22 miles from Joliet to Chicago Heights in Cook County. Fourteen of those miles are in Will County. Of the 14 miles, the Forest Preserve owns 11.5 and the Village of Frankfort owns 2.5.
In 2022, the eastern 7 miles of the trail in Will County were repaved from Harlem Avenue to Schoolhouse Road. In spring 2017, a new modern bow truss bridge over Interstate 80 in New Lenox was installed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Robert McClory Path repaved
About 12 miles of the Robert McClory Path through North Shore suburbs is all newly paved, the Lake County Department of Transportation said Nov. 10.
The work took place between Broadway Avenue and Russell Road in Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Beach Park, Waukegan and North Chicago, and between Vine Avenue and Old Elm Road in Highland Park and Highwood. The path was reconstructed, patched or even paved for the first time starting in the summer.
“Other improvements include roadway crossing improvements, ADA curb ramp upgrades, and isolated grading to address chronic drainage issues,” the project overview says. The Daily Herald reported that the path work was to cost $9.1 million because of “staging in segments, limited access and construction requiring smaller vehicles that led to higher prices particularly for earth excavation.”
A second phase to be done in 2026 or 2027 will address path crossings at four multilane streets: Golf Road, Grand Avenue, Washington Street and Route 120, the Department of Transportation told the Herald. The path bridge at Route 173 will also be replaced in the fall.
This is a round-up of construction projects big and small throughout the suburbs that could affect bicyclists’ regular recreational or serious rides, or just their routes around the neighborhood. If you know of another project or several getting in bicyclists’ way (hopefully for their future benefit), please leave a comment.
Cook County, northwest
Arlington Heights: Several short road projects affect the official bike route through town.
- Walnut Avenue, Hawthorn Street to Oakton Street
- Oakton Street, Dryden Avenue to Arlington Heights Road
- Fernandez Avenue, White Oak Street to Central Road
- Kennicott Avenue reconstruction, University Drive to Hintz Road
- Repaving of the Alec Street-Jade Avenue-Kelly Street-Greenwood Avenue turns off Kennicott to cross Rand Road (above).
Barrington: Work on a massive new underpass on Northwest Highway at the CN Railroad tracks, including by Lake Zurich Road, has begun. A bike path from the Barrington Area library around to Route 59 (Hough Street) ultimately will be installed, by 2026 or 2027. A temporary Northwest Highway is being constructed, with only a sidewalk between the library, Citizens Park and Route 59. See separate story.
Des Plaines: IDOT is working on vastly improving and widening a quarter-mile link between an off-road path on Rand Road and the Des Plaines River Trail, city planners said at a Northwest Municipal Conference tour June 10. It’s possible to ride the last quarter-mile to the popular river trail, but right now only a rough, narrow sidewalk can get you there. Utilities are being moved and other property adjusted now; the new path could be built in 2026.
Des Plaines River Trail: Repair and upgrade work happened through the fall between Lawrence Avenue and Irving Park Road, near Schiller Roads-West. Intermittent closures are expected and occasional full trail closures as necessary. Full closures were seen in late May; see separate story. Members of the Facebook group DPRT Riders also provide condition updates regularly.
Ela Road: This north-south thoroughfare between Hoffman Estates and Lake Zurich, handy for serious cyclists, will have pavement repaired from Central Road to Dundee Road in Inverness and Hoffman Estates, per a Daily Herald list.
Elk Grove Village: Work for a new bike-pedestrian bridge from Busse Woods east over Arlington Heights Road just south of Higgins Road has begun, in conjunction with the new mixed-used development being built. The Busse Woods Trail is not interrupted. See separate story. There’s also a neighborhood east of Meacham Road and north of Biesterfield Road whose streets were rebuilt this year. A path of concrete slabs exists along Biesterfield west to and beyond Meacham, but the interior streets also are handy for riding to bike routes west of Meacham, such as on Gibson and Vermont drives and University Lane, which lead riders to Schaumburg bike routes.
Hanover Park: The Arlington Bridge on Arlington Drive West off Greenbrook Blvd., in the Greenbrook Tanglewood neighborhood, is being reconstructed this year and possibly into next. “Construction is highly dependent on weather conditions but is anticipated to take until the spring of 2026,” the village says. “The bridge will be closed for most of 2025.” This is a key connection from Hanover Park to Schaumburg; riders coming from Bartlett could enter this subdivision on Arlington Drive West, make their way to Arlington Drive East, continue north on Bartels Road and get to Central Road. Now they’ll have to take the path on the west side of Greenbrook Blvd. to Route 20 and then ride south to Bartels — note that it’s a little rough to cross back over Greenbrook at Route 20.
Hoffman Estates: Shoe Factory Road was resurfaced between Beverly and Higgins roads; fortunately the Poplar Creek Trail runs nearly along this stretch. Other resurfacing of neighborhood streets that are good for bicyclists includes stretches of Gannon Road, Hassell Road, Illinois Blvd. and Grand Canyon Parkway. Here’s the village’s construction page.
Mount Prospect: A bike-pedestrian bridge between Melas and Meadows parks, over Northwest Highway and the Union Pacific railroad tracks, is scheduled to be installed in 2026. See separate story. That’s the highlight of a series of projects to improve bicycling and pedestrian safety in the next couple of years, according to the village’s infrastructure project web page. Other notable projects are a bike path off Kensington Road between the railroad tracks and Burning Bush Lane, and a bike path off Algonquin Road.
North Branch Trail: Trail access at Thaddeus S. “Ted” Lechowicz Woods has been restored after resurfacing and new paved sections, as well as flood relief. While the North Branch Trail segment between Forest Glen Avenue and Central Avenue is now open, construction is still happening in areas adjacent to the trail, the county forest preserve district says. Trail improvements also are occurring at the I-94 underpass, around Northfield, through Nov. 30.
Schaumburg:
• Work to rebuild Salem Drive between Schaumburg Road and Weathersfield Way in Schaumburg is complete. It includes a new off-road bike path on the west side of the street. The Salem Drive path is the latest example of the village’s shift away from neighborhood bike lanes; the bike lanes were removed in favor of parking. The path is now also only 8 feet wide after it was initially planned to be 10 feet wide; the village changed course amid concern for trees in the parkway. Projects on nearby streets are in the works for coming years. See separate story.
• Bike path repairs are in progress in various locations, like on Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg Road and Meacham Road. Watch the construction dashboard.
Streamwood: A new bike/pedestrian bridge came to Streamwood by the end of the year as promised. It was built over Route 59 just north of Irving Park Road. See separate stories here and here and here.
Cook County, south/southwest
Salt Creek Trail under I-294 at Bemis Woods, near Oak Brook, Western Springs: Intermittent closures of the Red Paved trail under the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) bridge have been going on since last year as part of the rebuilding and widening of I-294. “Periodic openings will be provided to allow passage between different construction phases,” the Cook County forest preserve district says. … “At this time, no designated alternative route is available.” The end of the closures depends on the I-294 work.
Thorn Creek Trail System: Intermittent construction near the Thorn Creek Trail System, north of Glenwood Woods by Chicago Heights, may affect trail conditions, Cook County’s forest preserve district says.
Cook County, north
Northbrook: 1.5 miles of Shermer Road between Willow Road and Walters Avenue are being repaved in 2025, but installation of an off-road path is really the priority. The sidepath was recommended in the village’s 2018 bicycle and pedestrian plan as a “high-priority project.” The village is providing regular updates on a web page.
DuPage County
Illinois Prairie Path, Aurora Branch in Wheaton: The Illinois Prairie Path was reconstructed in the spring along Carlton Avenue in Wheaton between Roosevelt Road and Liberty Drive, the trail’s organization says. The segment is now an 8-foot-wide concrete path.
Naperville
- 248th Avenue, from 95th to 103rd streets (scheduled for 2026): “The goal of this project is to create a better driving experience for motorists, as well as better recreational experiences for bicyclists and pedestrians,” the city’s page on 248th says. “… A pedestrian refuge island will be included in the Tall Grass Greenway Trail crossing. Gaps in the current bike path on the west side of 248th Avenue will be connected.”
- Updating road improvement plan: Public feedback will be collected starting this year, plus, “Issues specific to bicycles and pedestrians should be addressed as part of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which is anticipated to occur in 2025-2026,” the city’s page on the plan says.
Salt Creek Trail under I-294 at Bemis Woods, near Oak Brook, Western Springs: See above under Cook County south/southwest.
Salt Creek Trail at York Road bridge in Oak Brook: The Salt Creek Trail over the York Road bridge, which is under construction, is being detoured from Oct. 7 until May 2026, the Village of Oak Brook said. A map of the detour was supplied.
Lake County
Beach Park: A new bike path connection to the nearby Robert McClory Path is being built near the intersection of Lewis Avenue and Wadsworth Road.
Deep Lake Road: Construction to “rehabilitate, restore and resurface” Deep Lake Road from Route 173 to Route 132 (Grand Avenue) began. Bike-friendly road shoulders will be added. More in news briefs.
Des Plaines River Trail: Members of the Facebook group DPRT Riders provide condition updates regularly.
Fox Lake: The intersection of Grand Avenue and Route 59 in Fox Lake is rebuilt, with the project including multi-use paths connecting to Grant Community High School. Completion expected in the summer. Project overview
Gurnee: The intersection of Hunt Club Road and Washington Street will be improved starting in the summer, with a new shared-use path included, the village says. The path will extend from Washington Street north to the ComEd path just south of Dada Drive.
Island Lake/Lakemoor area: Darrell Road has gotten two more roundabouts this year, after one was installed in late 2023. The county has been posting pictures of new asphalt laid down and the bike path surrounding the roundabouts. The work involves some realignments of intersecting roads and the bike path on the east side through and between the roundabouts. See separate story.
Long Grove: Checker Road was resurfaced between Old Hicks Road and just east of Country Club Drive in the fall. The quiet street is not a designated bike route and does not have bike lanes, but it runs along the Buffalo Creek forest preserve with access to its gravel bike trails, and it’s otherwise a common throughway for bicyclists who may want to get to Arlington Heights or Buffalo Grove.
Lake Zurich: If you ride through Lake Zurich to get to more of western Lake County to the north or back through southern Lake County and Cook County by way of Ela Road, Main Street is undergoing a total reconstruction and beautification. That possibly interrupts your pretty ride around the village’s namesake lake and through downtown, forcing you to find less safe options such as Rand Road or Route 22 — but sidewalks along the work do allow you to ride through safely. As part of traffic-calming measures, Main Street will have a landscaped median. Parking also will be improved, leaving narrow lanes for cars. Sidewalks are being constructed, but nothing is officially designated for bicyclists, who might find it a little tight through here in the end.
Old McHenry Road: Old McHenry Road from Cuba Road to south of Quentin Road will be resurfaced in the Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove areas, starting in May. This will interrupt a great road ride for serious cyclists, but then it will be nice and new. Project overview
Robert McClory Path paving: About 12 miles of path between Broadway Avenue and Russell Road in Winthrop Harbor, Zion, Beach Park, Waukegan and North Chicago, and between Vine Avenue and Old Elm Road in Highland Park and Highwood, was reconstructed, paved for the first time or patched starting in the summer. See more at the top of this article.
Kane County
Aurora: Schaumburg Bicycle Club members noticed in mid-May that the Fox River Trail along the east side of the river between New York and Illinois avenues was closed because of construction of a new apartment/condo building and construction at the outdoor music facility. The bike-pedestrian bridge over the river in the middle of that segment also was closed.
Batavia: The City of Batavia says it is moving forward in the summer and fall with a ramp up to Peace Bridge from the lower Fox River Trail on the east side of the river, allowing bicyclists to ride up to the bridge rather than climb stairs to get to it. The ADA-compliant ramp will be built by the parking lot near River and State streets. More in news briefs.
Elgin: A map on “various resurfacing projects” for the summer showed a few stretches of work possibly relevant to serious and casual road bicyclists’ interests, like on Highland Avenue, Wing Street, Larkin Avenue, Dundee Avenue, Summit Street and Shales Parkway.
St. Charles: Riverside Avenue (Route 25) over the 7th Avenue Creek just south of downtown reopened May 16 after the culvert was replaced to reduce flooding. That means the Fox River Trail is now open again, with a realignment said to make the crossings safer there. Only final touch-ups seemed to remain. Project page
Will, Grundy counties
Channahon: Groundbreaking began March 18 on what the Village of Channahon is calling the I&M Canal Gateway, at 25450 W. Eames St. The hub with parking and bike facilities will come about 9 miles west of the I&M Canal Trail‘s eastern start in Rockdale. More in news briefs.
Old Plank Road Trail: 7 miles from its west end in Joliet was reconstructed in the second half of 2025. See the top of this article.
Spring Creek Greenway Trail: A 950-foot section of the Spring Creek Greenway Trail in Hadley Valley preserve will be paved east of Interstate 355 to the Bruce Road Access area, the Forest Preserve District of Will County says. A contract for this could be awarded in September and the work would be completed by the end of the year.
Future Will County forest preserve projects
Taken verbatim from the forest preserve project update web page, with updates on meetings added:
Plum Creek Greenway Trail: A 1-mile extension is planned for the Plum Creek Greenway Trail from Plum Valley Preserve – Burville Road Access to Goodnow Grove Nature Preserve. The project includes a 400-foot bridge over Plum Creek and a partial street route. Tree clearing will begin this year (2025), with construction to follow as weather allows. Completion is expected by the end of 2026. This trail addition will link amenities in the greenway including the Plum Creek Nature Center, Goodenow Grove campground, Plum Valley Dog Park and existing nature trails within Goodenow Grove.
DuPage River Trail: Phase 1 engineering is underway to convert a section of Book Road from 119th Street south to 127th Street in Plainfield into a new portion of the regional DuPage River Trail. The sides of the now-closed road will be removed to create a 10-foot-wide path. A public meeting about the project is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 419 Trout Farm Road, north of Boughton Road in Bolingbrook.
Theodore Marsh: A crushed limestone loop path at Theodore Marsh has been slated for paving to improve accessibility and streamline maintenance. The work will most likely be completed in 2026.
Weber Road Trail: Phase 1 engineering has begun for a trail along Weber Road that will travel from DuPage River Park in Naperville to Indian Boundary Park in Bolingbrook. The new path will connect with an existing section of the DuPage River Greenway Trail owned by the Bolingbrook Park District that leads east to the Forest Preserve’s Hidden Lakes Trout Farm and Whalon Lake preserves and north to the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s Greene Valley Preserve. Partners on this project include the City of Naperville, Naperville Park District and Bolingbrook Park District. Construction is tentatively set for 2027. A public information meeting for the Weber Road project will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook.
Wolf’s Crossing Road Trail: Also in Phase 1 engineering, this project will add a 0.75-mile trail along Wolf’s Crossing Road filling in a key gap between Hoffman Boulevard in Aurora and the Normantown Trail near Vermont Cemetery Preserve. It will connect users to the Normantown and Tallgrass Greenway trails. Partners include the City of Aurora and Wheatland Township Road District. A public information meeting for the project is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Oswego Public Library, Montgomery Branch.
Veterans Memorial Trail: An extension is planned for the Veterans Memorial Trail. The new segment would head north from 159th Street in Homer Glen to either 135th or 127th Street. Phase 1 engineering will determine the route. Eventually, the existing trail also will be extended south to Route 6 near Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox and west to Schneider’s Passage in Romeoville.
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The Arlington Heights Kennicott bike route could be the ideal north south connection from Busse Woods at Golf-Wilke to a future Lake County path in the former IL53 IDOT row making a ride from Joiet to Antioch a dream ride.
I have found a friendly convenient route east to Lake Michigan on the Evanston Elgin Corridor from the Des Plaine River Trail is through Morton Grove and Skokie on Ballard Road to Church Street into Evanston.