Pratt Avenue Bicycle Lane Improvements

Background

In the fall of 2016, the Village resurfaced Pratt Avenue between Lincoln and Lockwood Avenues using Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding. As part of that project, the roadway was resurfaced and parking lanes were striped along Pratt Avenue generally between Lincoln and Cicero Avenues. At the Village Board meeting on December 3, 2019, it was requested that the installation of protected bicycle lanes west of Crawford Avenue be considered at a future meeting. In January 2020, staff presented three options for bicycle lanes on Pratt Avenue to the Village Board. The consensus among the Village Board was to include funding in the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan for the installation of bicycle lanes on Pratt Avenue.

In March 2020, the Village Board directed staff to apply for an Invest in Cook grant to help fund the Phase I study for installing bicycle lanes. In December 2020, the Village was notified it received the Invest in Cook grant in the amount of $42,000 and the Village Board entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County in January 2021 to accept the funding. A request for qualifications for Phase I design was issued in February 2021 and posted publicly along with being emailed to 11 engineering firms capable of performing the work. Three proposals were submitted with Christopher B. Burke Engineering (CBBEL) submitting the most qualified proposal.

In September 2022, staff applied for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program funding for the Phase II engineering, Phase III engineering, and construction of the Pratt Avenue Bicycle Lane project. The Village was awarded $2,903,000 in federal funding for the entire project.

Funding Sources

Phase I Design = $42,000 in Invest in Cook funds

Phase II Design = $101,600 in ITEP funds and $26,400 in IDOT funds as a local match

Phase III Engineering = $202,400 in ITEP funds and $50,600 in IDOT funds as a local match

Construction = $2,018,400 in ITEP funds and $504,600 in IDOT funds as a local match

Key Dates

December 2019 - The Village Board directed staff to investigate the feasibility of installing a protected bike lane on Pratt Avenue.

January 2020 – Staff presented three options for the Village Board to consider. Consensus was to include funding in the FY21 budget for a feasibility study.

March 2020 – Staff was directed to apply for an Invest in Cook Grant to fund the study.

December 2020 – Village received the grant in the amount of $42,000 with a $18,000 local match.

February 2021 – RFQ released for engineering services. Three firms submitted proposal. The design was awarded to Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL).

June 2022 - The Village hosted a public meeting on June 16 to provide information on the proposed design of the project and solicit public feedback. Click here to view the presentation from the meeting.

September 2022 - Staff applied for the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) funding in the amount of $2,322,400 for the Phase II engineering, Phase III engineering, and construction of the project. 80% funding was requested with a 20% local match by the Village.

April 2023 - The Village was awarded ITEP funding in the amount of $2,903,000 with IDOT covering the local match as well.

September 2023 - Phase II design was awarded to CBBEL.

May 2024 - Staff received comments and concerns regarding the project. The Village Board requested the project be discussed at a Committee of the Whole Meeting to address the questions and concerns.

June 2024 - The discussion from the May 21, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting was extended to the June 4, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting. A number of residents spoke at the meeting to voice their concerns with the project. At the direction of the Mayor, the project was scheduled for further discussion at a Special Village Board Meeting.

August 2024 - At the Special Village Board Meeting, staff received direction to determine if funding would be jeopardized if the concrete barriers were removed from the scope of the project.

October 2024 - At the October 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting, the Village Board chose to move forward with the painted bicycle lanes. CBBEL continued with the Phase II design of the project.

Spring 2026 - Construction is anticipated to begin.

Phase I Engineering Concept Plan

The Village contracted with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. to develop a concept plan for the project. A public meeting was held on June 16, 2022, to allow for public comment on the plan. Below are the initial options that were presented to the Village Board.

Potential Option #1

Potential Option #2

After reviewing the potential options, the Village Board selected Option #1 for the project limits west of Crawford Avenue. The Village Board also expanded the project limits east to McCormick Boulevard. The Village Board selected a hybrid design for the area east of Crawford Avenue which is a combination of Options #1 and #2.