Two Forest Preserve District trail projects have been awarded a combined $6.5 million through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.

The Forest Preserve projects were among 66 selected for $139.2 million in funding through ITEP, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation to expand local travel options and enhance quality of life in communities statewide.

“The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program is a crucial part of Rebuild Illinois, helping make travel safer and more accessible in the communities that need it most,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in announcing the awards.

The funded projects include bike and pedestrian paths, streetscape beautification and other efforts aimed at encouraging safe, multimodal transportation at the local level.

The two Forest Preserve projects awarded funding are:

Weber Road Trail – $4.6 million: This new trail section would travel through DuPage River Park in Naperville and Indian Boundary Park in Bolingbrook to connect with an existing section of the DuPage River Greenway Trail. The Bolingbrook Park District owns that segment, which 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. In February 2024, the Forest Preserve Board hired Terra Engineering, Ltd. of Chicago to provide Phase I engineering services for the DuPage River Trail – Weber Road Trail Improvements. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.

Wolf’s Crossing Road Trail – $1.9 million: The new trail would fill in a three-quarter mile gap between Hoffman Boulevard (approximately one-third mile east of Eola Road in Aurora) and Normantown Road. This gap represents a significant barrier to seamless trail connectivity. The new path would be adjacent to the Forest Preserve’s Vermont Cemetery Preserve and trail users could travel west to Hoffman Boulevard and connect with Aurora’s trail system. Heading east, they could access the Forest Preserve’s Normantown Trail or the Naperville Park District’s Tallgrass Greenway Trail.

Project partners include the City of Aurora and Wheatland Township Road District. In March 2024, the Forest Preserve hired Patrick Engineering to begin Phase I engineering for the Wolf’s Crossing trail segment. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.

‘Vital investment’

“These ITEP grants show immense support for the Forest Preserve and are a vital investment in the future of these trails — helping strengthen connections between communities and nature across Will County,” said Forest Preserve Board President Destinee Ortiz.

ITEP funding comes from both federal and state sources and is focused on improving bike and pedestrian travel, as well as other surface transportation enhancements.

“These projects exemplify the power of collaboration in identifying and addressing critical gaps in our regional trail system,” said Colleen Novander, the Forest Preserve District’s director of Planning and Land Preservation. “Together, we are enhancing connectivity, promoting alternative transportation options, and expanding recreational opportunities for the communities we serve.”

Projects were selected based on readiness, connectivity to transportation networks and other economic drivers, public support and community benefit. Additional consideration was given to projects in areas of higher need based on population, poverty levels and median household income.