CATEGORY: I - Special Projects

CLIENT/OWNER: Forest Preserve District of Cook County

SUBMITTING FIRM: Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.

KEY PARTICIPANTS: Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., Copenhaver Construction, In., Landmark Contractors, Inc., Martam Construction, Inc., Terra Engineering

DESCRIPTION: Making improvements to the Des Plaines River Trail throughout the forest preserves was a significant undertaking, not only because of the physical length of the trail and the communities it touched, but because of the scope of the improvements. This project touched all aspects of the trail: from reconstructing the path, to upgrading and improving traffic signals at major intersections, to realigning sections of the trail, to constructing a 1,000-foot boardwalk above the floodplain, to installing a pedestrian bridge over Lawrence Avenue, every effort was made to address each of the problems that affected trail usability.