State gives Yorkville time on bike trail decision

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Updated: February 25, 2012 8:07AM

YORKVILLE — The Illinois Department of Transportation has given the city a six-month extension on the deadline for accepting a $1.4 million grant to build a trail along Kennedy Road.

Roger Blakely of IDOT sent an e-mail Monday morning to City Administrator Bart Olson and some other city officials, saying the city could have until Aug. 1 to decide if it will take the grant.

The city was awarded the grant more than a year ago, and has asked for several extensions on its decision since then. Aldermen have been reluctant to take the grant because it commits the city to about $357,000 in a local match. The City Council fears it will not have the money to cover that matching amount.

A local group has formed, called Push for the Path, to try to raise that local match privately. Last week, members of a City Council committee told Push for the Path organizers they appreciated the effort, but want the money upfront before accepting the grant.

In that vein, the six-month extension may not mean much, because Push for the Path organizers had anticipated raising the money during several years. If the city took the grant, it would have about six fiscal years over which to pay IDOT the local match.

Aldermen on the Public Works Committee voted 3-1 last week to ask the state for an extension.

Public Works Chairman George Gilson, 1st Ward, had predicted last week that without the local match money upfront, the Kennedy Road grant would die in committee.

The grant is to build a trail along Kennedy, between Steven Bridge Park and Mill Road. The path would connect Yorkville with a system of paths throughout the western suburbs. It is in accord with the city’s transportation plan.

Many residents in the area see the path as a public safety item, because Kennedy Road is two lanes with only a ditch on either side. While subdivisions have grown up along the road —– as well as a park with baseball fields —– the road itself retains its rural character.

Several years ago, a woman was killed riding her bicycle along the road.