West Belleville Bike Trail Phase II

Summary

The West Belleville Bike Trail Phase II project was part of a multi-phase project that will when completed, connect the west end of the City of Belleville with the MetroLink Belleville Bikeway on the East side of Belleville. The Phase II project is approximately two miles in length and is located between Wesley Drive (Signal Hill Bike Trail) on the west and will connect to 52^nd Street (West Belleville Bike Trail Phase I) on the east. This phase will connect Signal Hill School with Bellevue and Citizens Park.

Project

The Phase II bike trail included the construction of a ten-foot wide asphalt trail with one-foot wide aggregate shoulders. The project improved the quality of life for Belleville residents, surrounding communities, and visitors; increased recreational amenities; reduced traffic congestion; improved air quality; and increased the safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, including many school children, motorists, and trail users.

Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC (KEG) provided Phase I and II engineering services to construct the new bike trail.  Phase I services included right-of-way (ROW), boundary, and topographic surveys; preliminary layout and design of the bike trail, Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment (PESA), public meetings, and the submittal of the project development report (PDR).  Phase II services included the preparation of standard and detailed plans, contract documents with special provisions, and cost estimates in accordance with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Bureau of Local Roads and Streets Manual – Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations. Design included pavement markings, erosion control, and all necessary state permitting.  KEG also coordinated with local residents, City and IDOT officials, and utility companies to ensure that the project was completed to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

This project was complicated by the need to cross Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks. After submission of the PDR, the railroad rejected the at-grade crossing design and mandated a bridge be built over the tracks or the trail be realigned to an alternative route. KEG prepared a cost estimate for this alternative and determined the bridge over the railroad tracks would cost the City an additional $1.2 million. As a result of this decision, KEG worked with the City, FHWA, and IDOT Bureau of Local Road and Streets to re-route the trail, while still providing the needed connectivity to existing trails, schools, and parks. Redesign of the trail is currently underway.

The project was funded by the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) using 80% federal monies with a 20% local match.  KEG assisted the City of Belleville with attaining funding for the project.