🚲Patriot Path Design Gets IDOT Approval

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May 9, 2024

Patriot Path Design Gets IDOT Approval

The design of the proposed multi-use "Patriot Path" was recently approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), marking a key milestone that allows Lake County to move through Phase 2 of the project and plan for construction in the coming years. 

The proposed Patriot Path is slated to run off-road along IL 137 from near Independence Grove Forest Preserve to Naval Station Great Lakes. It would be 5.5 miles long and serve as a key connection to other regional trails such as the Robert McClory Bike Path and Des Plaines River Trail. 

"The Patriot Path will be a gamechanger for the more than 40,000 residents that live in this area," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. "Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to safely commute to work and school and have a safe connection to parks, forest preserves, and transit stops, while also reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions." 

The project has been divided into four segments in order to better manage the construction effort. Construction is planned to start in Segments 1 and 4, and work would meet in the middle to complete Segments 2 and 3. Construction is programmed to begin as early as 2026. 

Talks about building the Patriot Path started more than a decade ago due to limited pedestrian accommodations in this area. Phase 1 of the project was comprised of planning, public information meetings to gather input and feedback, meeting with key stakeholders such as the Forest Preserves and US Navy, and answering big questions such as "how will the path cross the I-94 tollway?"

"Over 20 years ago people in the communities along the path asked for a better way to get around on their bicycles," said Ann Maine, Vice-Chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee and Board Member for District 3. "It’s thrilling that it is finally coming together after years of hard work."

The Lake County Board and LCDOT have been busy finding ways to fund the estimated $30 million project, which has included garnering letters of support from local stakeholders and advocating to Lake County's state and federal legislators. Due to these efforts, construction of Segments 1 and 4 were awarded nearly $9 million in state and federal funds.

The Patriot Path is among many of the non-motorized projects LCDOT is currently working on. Whenever possible, shared use paths are added during a reconstruction and widening project, and bike-friendly shoulders are added where appropriate during resurfacings. 

"Lake County plans to invest $98 million in non-motorized travel accommodations over the next five years," said Jennifer Clark, Chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee and Board Member for District 15. "We are proud that our transportation system is more than just roads, and we consider non-motorized travel as a high priority because of the quality of life benefits it can bring to our communities."

The public can view the shared use paths that are currently available and planned by Lake County for the future through an interactive map. Planned shared use paths in LCDOT's Five-Year Plan are shown in purple on the map, and paths in the 2040 Non-Motorized Plan are shown in red.