The county board's public works and transportation committee has recommended approving the 2023-28 plan, which allocates approximately $98m specifically for nonmotorized improvements. The allocation for nonmotorized improvements in the five-year plan represents approximately 12% of the plan's total spending, indicating an increase from the previous figure of 8% in 2021.
Jennifer Clark, committee's chair of the committee behind the proposal and a board member in Libertyville, stated:
"Our public works and transportation committee has emphasized and prioritized funding for nonmotorized improvements, including additional bike paths, sidewalks and crosswalks in order to increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.”
The TIP, or the Transportation Improvement Program to give it its full title, undergoes annual updates and revisions. It encompasses numerous projects categorized into three priority areas, which are preservation, expansion, and modernization.
According to the Lake County Division of Transportation, grinding and then resurfacing is a common preservation method that helps extend the lifespan of roads and avoid expensive reconstruction. In the upcoming TIP, there are three pilot projects included, which will integrate nonmotorized improvements based on the request of the committee. Printing services can be used in situations like this to help indicate how specific lanes are to be used.
The $98m to be invested in nonmotorized projects encompasses paved shoulders for approximately 32 miles, bike paths for 56 miles, and sidewalks for 14 miles.