This project will install a new ten-foot-wide shared-use path and new pedestrian gates at the Canadian National Railroad crossing on Kensington Road. The existing concrete stairs will be replaced with a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant shared-use path. In addition, pedestrian gates will increase safety at the railroad crossing, and a new culvert under the new path will improve drainage. 

The concrete stairs along the north side of Kensington Road have long been an issue for accessible pedestrian and bike travel. The stairs and lack of pedestrian gates are preventing students from riding bikes to schools in the area. There is an existing warning path in the grass that shows bikes using this route in an unsafe way by riding on the shoulder next to traffic.

To address the above issues, the Village of Mount Prospect applied for and received Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in the summer of 2022.  The funding received will only support spot improvements with a total length of approximately 300’ to address the abovementioned issues.  A separate project will be needed to extend the shared-use path in the future. 

To use SRTS funding, the Village must go through the IDOT design process, including a Phase I Engineering Study and Phase II Plan Design, followed by Phase III Construction.  The Village will be completing Phase I and Phase II internally.  The project will then be bid through IDOT to select a contractor to complete construction.

Canadian National Railroad will complete pedestrian gate installation and reconstruction of the pedestrian crossing separately from the shared-use path construction.  The Village is in contact with the Canadian National Railroad and will try to schedule work concurrently to limit disruptions to residents. 

Map of project
Fall 2026 through Spring 2027.


Updates

September 13, 2022 - IDOT/FHWA Kickoff Meeting 
October 25, 2022 - Preliminary Plans sent to Railroad for Review 
January 13, 2023 – Awarded Grant through the Federal Local Rail-Highway Crossing Safety Program
Summer 2023 – Awaiting grant funds to be released before continuing with Phase I design
Spring 2024 – Phase I design is progressing, awaiting agreement execution between IDOT and the railroad for the work relating to installing pedestrian gates at the railroad crossing
Will sidewalk access be available during the project?
No. Due to the nature of the improvements, the existing sidewalk will be closed for the duration of construction. Residents can use the sidewalk on Euclid Avenue as an alternative route; see the detour map in the DOCUMENTS section. The Village will perform additional public outreach as construction approaches to keep residents informed of the timings of the sidewalk closure.

Will any road closures be required for the improvements?
No. Daytime lane closures may be required on Kensington Road during some periods of construction, but two-way traffic will be maintained at all times during the project.
Luke Foresman, P.E.
Civil Engineer
Village of Mount Prospect

Phone: 847-870-5640
Email: publicworksdept@mountprospect.org
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