Plans outlined for future ITEP-funded bike path in Rockton

The Village of Rockton hosted an informational session, fielding questions from the public on Feb. 25 about a future bike path from the Stephen Mack Middle School on the east side of Old River Road, past the Rockton Athletic Fields ball diamonds, up to Ferry and River, then up to Blackhawk Blvd at the south end of the existing bridge, which is up for future replacement. We reported on a similar recreational path proposal in 2021.

C.E.S. Engineering CEO Kevin Bunge explained that the funding source for the bike path is ITEP, the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. ITEP is paying for 90% of this project; the village and other sources are paying the remaining 10%, which is almost unheard of.

"These are almost always 80/20 grants," Bunge said.

The total estimated value of the path is $1 million.

The latest renderings include a walking and bike path across the new bridge. That way, people will go from the middle school along the path, then go all the way across the bridge right into downtown.

Bunge added, “We are really thrilled about this project since it is making a major link to get kids off of Old River Road. They have been seen walking or riding around on a scooter, and with the way that traffic moves, this could be a great thing to get them off of the road.”

"Completely off the road, there is actually a grass barrier between the edge of the road and where the path is," said Bunge. "The path is separated from the edge, which will make it much safer."

"When we get under the Route 2 bridge, sometimes I get a question about why the east side, why not the west? We cannot get under Route 2 on the west side because there is not enough clearance. We don't want the kids crossing the highway.”

Jake Costello, Superintendent of Rockton Public Works, asked whether it will just be a standard crosswalk at University. "Will any signals or controls be put in at the proposed sites?"

Bunge answered, “There will be a standard crosswalk.”

The estimated date for work to begin on the bike path construction is around August or September, when the project will first go out for bid. The Village will work with the school and their schedules.

Bunge said, “We are almost done with the plans, but there are multiple steps to go through with IDOT. IDOT has approved what are called preliminary plans. Now we are just adding details, but I don't see any problem.”

Thirty pages of drawings and a planner profile, with a layout of specific sections, were available for viewing at the meeting.

There will be several projects happening at once in Rockton.

The first project is the River, Bridge, and Ferry Street reconstruction project, which is going up for bids soon. The old streets will be removed and replaced with new city streets, curb and gutter, water main, and drainage improvements.

Bunge said, “We hope right behind that project is the bike path. This will depend on IDOT's scheduling. We hope that one gets cleaned up and finished before the next project comes in. They cannot happen at the same time, or they interfere with each other."

A resident asked if Winnebago County is responsible for Old River Road, and if they will be resurfacing the road.

Bunge said, “My understanding is that they are widening some areas as well, and they are planning to do some resurfacing work too. They are also doing some drainage work."

Costello said. “There are four projects that will be going on, hopefully in all fast conjunction. That is the state's bridge rebuild, our bike path project, our River Prairie Bridge upgrade to get ready for the path project, and the County's Old River Road. That is a lot.”

Bunge said, “The County has been talking about this for a dozen years or so, it just happens to be coming at the same time as we are.”

Bunge added, “We have coordinated well with them.”

Lighting and power-related items along the bike path, provided by Rock Energy, were addressed.

Bunge said, "What I’d rather see happen is that the path is all dug and to get the stone in place, then paved next spring. For a project to be done this year, we would have to be able to rely on IDOT."

The recreational path will be maintained by the Village Parks and Recreation Department. It will be getting plowed and cleaned.

Resident Tracy Hopkins asked, "You said there is no stoplight in the crosswalk. Is there anything that can possibly be done, such as yellow signs as seen in Florida?"

Bunge said, "That is a separate program with separate requirements, but that can be done. A study would be required first. Adding controls is something that can be done in the future, but it cannot be part of this project.”

A crossing guard will be hired to help with safety at the school.

Many residents feel that the 20 mph speed limit on Old River Road should be followed.

Kane VanZuiden asked, “Is there any consideration to reduce the speed limit near the schools? We have 20 kids within the two streets between the age of one and ten that are all going to cross that road and use the bike path."

In answer: "To lower the speed limit they have to do warrants. For residential zones they can sometimes lower it. That road belongs to the county."

Village of Rockton President John Peterson said, “We can ask our police chief, and he can talk to the county. It doesn't hurt to ask."

Bunge said, “Crosswalks that are used improperly is one of our biggest problems.”

A suggestion was made to possibly look into traffic calming measures.

Question: Thirty years from now, will the village be on the hook for repaving the path? Answer: Because it is Village property, they are responsible.

Resident Elaine Meyer asked, "How wide will this be to accommodate pedestrians and bike traffic?"

Bunge replied that this is a wider-than-normal space: a 14-foot corridor, with 10 feet paved. Some areas will go down to eight feet. No properties will be affected as this is based on village right-of-way.