After failing to receive the same grant several years ago, the village of Frankfort received $1.6 million in state funding to expand a trail system for bikers and pedestrians and improve safety, the village announced May 21.
Mayor Keith Ogle said connecting the path that ends at Pfeiffer Road and Sauk Avenue to another path that ends at Laraway Road and 80th Avenue was a priority when he entered office in 2021.
“I think when (the trail) was put in, some of the housing developments that were south of Laraway Road, in that area, were not completed,” Ogle said. “So now it’s been very apparent, and when I became mayor that was one of the first things — like we’ve got to get this done.”
Ogle said the original trail system was installed more than 20 years ago, and connecting the trails will allow bikers and pedestrian to travel throughout east Frankfort more safely.
“For the residents that live south of Laraway, their only point of access would have been to come up 80th Avenue crossing Laraway,” Ogle said. “There is a signal there, it’s by Chelsea School. But for some of the other ones, this was really a missing link.”
The village applied for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program in 2022, but was unsuccessful. Ogle said they applied again last year but budgeted for the $2.2 million project to ensure construction was set for next spring. The 10-feet-wide, 1.5 mile long trail is expected to open to pedestrians and bicyclists next summer, Ogle said.
Ogle said he was thrilled to learn the village received $1.6 million from the department of transportation and will use remaining money budgeted for other infrastructure improvements, including adding a spur to connect some of the subdivisions near Laraway Road and 80th Avenue.
“We’re going to have a look at the overall master plan, and then start planning and budgeting for it too,” Ogle said. “Our bike path goes through the historic downtown. It’s beautiful — it’s really a scenic path. And we take a lot of pride in how we maintain it. It’s a very popular area for visitors to come through, and it connects a lot of other communities in Frankfort.”
Jodi Haefner, 52, who lives on Laraway and 80th, said as a distance runner who drives to the trail five days a week, she will directly benefit from the new connection.
“Going out there and having to do a long run, it definitely would save me the hassle of having to drive my car to the trail,” Haefner said. “At least I could start at my house, get the extra mileage.”
Haefner said she also believes the trail connection will improve safety for others in the area who opt to bike or run to the trail rather than drive.
“It would make life a lot easier than having to dodge in and out of cars,” Haefner said. “That road is hilly and when there are bikers or runners on the road, it gets a little dangerous.”
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
