Grant to help pay for pedestrian bridge in Plainfield

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Updated: March 11, 2012 8:28AM

PLAINFIELD — A $1 million state grant will help bridge safety concerns for pedestrians on Lockport Street in downtown Plainfield.

That is not the only grant that will be used to support much-needed public improvement projects in the village this year.

The Plainfield Village Board on Monday learned the state will provide a $1 million capital program grant for work related to the Lockport Street pedestrian bridge, including decorative street lighting from Village Center Drive near Plainfield Village Hall to James Street, pathway connections and utility relocations.

Heavy vehicular traffic on the existing state roadway cannot properly accommodate pedestrians as they attempt to cross the river on the narrow pathway, said Allen Persons, public works director.

“This is a greatly needed safety improvement that will provide a pedestrian walkway that will properly connect the downtown business district to facilitate on the west side of the river, including Settlers’ Park, Pace bus stop and Village Hall,” Persons said.

Persons said design work for the project has been completed and bids will go out later this month. If construction begins this summer, Persons said the project could be finished by the end of 2012.

Persons also said the Federal Railway Administration, in coordination with the Illinois Commerce Commission, has approved an $180,000 grant to create a new pedestrian crossing with warning devices over the railroad tracks along 135th Street just east of Route 30. Persons said the improvement is needed as the existing bike path on both sides of the tracks is lacking in continuity.

The funding is music to the ears of Martha Schulenberger, who lives on 135th Street.

“This is something we really need in Plainfield before a tragedy occurs,” Schulenberger said.

The village also was notified that it will receive a $96,106 grant as part of the High Growth Cities Program. The program provides funding to municipalities in Illinois that have at least 5,000 residents and are experiencing above-normal population growth.

Persons said funds will be used for street resurfacing projects.