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 The lakeshore in Waukegan.
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Waukegan pedestrian and bike infrastructure investments gain federal support
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded funding to Waukegan for technical assistance to help advance projects that improve walking and biking in communities along the northern lakeshore.
Waukegan partnered with North Chicago and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to apply for funding through Thriving Communities, a new program launched under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The program provides two years of technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them better access federal infrastructure funding and deliver transportation projects that strengthen communities.
In Waukegan, these projects include a Sheridan Road/IL 137 and Amstutz Expressway feasibility study to enhance bicycle and pedestrian mobility and reconnect neighborhoods, and a project to implement the Northern Lakeshore Trail Connectivity Plan.
The Northern Lakeshore Trail Connectivity Plan — created through CMAP's technical assistance program — calls for more than 100 miles of walking and bicycling trails across the communities of Beach Park, North Chicago, Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor, and Zion.
CMAP is excited to continue to support Waukegan and our other partners with projects that help advance our regional goals of non-motorized transportation options and walkable, connected communities.
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 An underpass with community art in Englewood. Photo credit: Chicago Department of Transportation
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Communities across region receive state funding to build pedestrian and bike trails, and enhance safety
The Illinois Department of Transportation awarded more than $125 million in funding for projects to expand transportation options, improve travel safety, and enhance quality of life in communities throughout the state.
The funding, distributed through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, will be used to complete biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification, and other projects designed to encourage safe travel.
The selected projects include more than 30 in our region. For example, funding will support:
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Chicago: converting an abandoned rail corridor into a shared-use path, called the Englewood Nature Trail
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Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills: constructing a sidewalk and shared-use path along Randall Road that connects to existing trails
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Lincolnwood: constructing a protected bike lane along Pratt Avenue
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Montgomery: building a path and bridge to provide pedestrians and bicyclists with an above-grade crossing over U.S. 30
A few projects will also support implementation of the Northern Lakeshore Trail Connectivity Plan, including:
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Beach Park: constructing a side path and sidewalk on a major stretch of Sheridan Road and making intersection improvements
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Lake County: constructing the first stage of the Patriot Path, which will connect the Des Plaines River Trail to the Robert McClory bike path through North Chicago
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2023 State of the Region: Thriving Together
CMAP's State of the Region program celebrates the organizations and individuals successfully working to improve northeastern Illinois, its communities, and its people, while bringing attention to public sentiment on key quality-of-life issues.
This year's Regional Excellence Award winners demonstrate the important work being done to improve the quality of life of our region. The State of the Region program also features details from a public opinion survey that provides a snapshot of residents’ attitudes toward issues like transportation, the economy, and climate.
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Seeking future leaders in planning
High school students can apply for free one-week summer program
Do you know a high school student who is creative, analytical, and passionate about making their community a better place to live? Then we've got an opportunity for them!
CMAP is now accepting applications for our 2023 Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program. FLIP is a free summer program for high school students to explore the field of urban planning and learn about the issues that shape our region and communities. Students learn about planning topics through engaging sessions, activities, and site visits.
When: Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: CMAP's office in downtown Chicago (433 W. Van Buren St.), plus locations around the region
FLIP is open to high school students in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. The program is completely free to students, and includes snacks, meals, public transportation to and from sessions, and swag.
Students must apply online by Tuesday, May 30.
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USDOT urges partners to join roadway safety call to action
The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched a call-to-action campaign to support its National Roadway Safety Strategy. The campaign encourages private companies, government, and advocacy organizations to commit to specific actions they'll take in 2023 to reduce serious injuries and deaths on our roadways.
A number of stakeholders have already committed to taking action, including:
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3M, which will help road agencies determine how reflective signage and lane markings can make things like dangerous curves, stop-controlled intersections, and bike lanes safer
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American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, which will launch a series of initiatives, such as developing resources to help state departments of transportation implement a Safe System Approach throughout their work
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Uber, which has committed to supporting Vision Zero efforts and aligning with the Safe System Approach; pledging $500,000 in new drunk driving prevention efforts in five states; and launching new safety features to help keep people on bikes safe
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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
In 2021, distracted driving killed 3,522 people. April, which is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving in your community.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created toolkits with graphics, sample social media posts, and other resources for communities, organizations, and advocates to share.
You can also share these safety tips with your community:
- Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location.
- Designate your passenger as your “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.
- Do not scroll through apps while driving. Struggling not to text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
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Join workshop on using sidewalk data to improve safety, accessibility, and other planning priorities
The University of Illinois Chicago and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus are seeking participants for a workshop on sidewalk accessibility. The workshop will focus on how municipalities can collect sidewalk data and use it for planning improvements.
When: Thursday, April 20, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom
Participants and facilitators will discuss how best to customize data collection for their community. Participants will also receive an overview of the online data collection tool Project Sidewalk and how it works.
Participants can be teams or individuals that include municipal leaders, managers, and planners who could use sidewalk data for planning efforts, such as accessibility, pedestrian safety, aging in place, public works, and sustainability.
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Summit explores making shared mobility more reliable
The 2023 National Shared Mobility Summit takes place May 2-4 at Merchandise Mart Plaza in Chicago. The theme is "All Together Now: Action + Accountability for People-Focused Mobility."
Speakers include CMAP Senior Transportation Planner Victoria Barrett, who will discuss safety on a panel called Equitable, Electric, Effortless: Envisioning a City Built for E-Bikes (May 3, from 1:10 to 2:00 p.m.).
Other sessions will explore making mobility more reliable, equitable, accessible, and sustainable through several topics:
- Funding and affordability
- Tools and incentives
- Infrastructure
- Metrics and outcomes
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