Orland Park officials expect to go to bid soon on the next construction phase of a bike path that is being pieced together in sections throughout the village.
The Recreation Committee last week recommended that the village solicit bids for the $360,000 construction project, and the Village Board should vote on the recommendation at its Tuesday meeting. In early 1993, the village was awarded $180,000 in matching funds from the Illinois Department of Conservation for the bike trail, said village manager Jim Smithberg.
The latest 3-mile segment will connect to the John Humphrey Bike Trail at 147th Street and Ravinia Avenue and lead south to 153rd Street to link with an existing bike path through the Ravinia Glens subdivision. At the far south end of the Ravinia Glens path, the village will continue the trail westward through Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave, and end up at 159th Street and 104th Avenue.
The village plans to seek bids for two variations in the trail’s route and once the costs are determined, officials will decide which option to follow, said Smithberg. The two options are the same except for the north-south segment between 147th and 151st Streets.
The first option has some officials concerned because it incorporates the sidewalk along Ravina Avenue in the Village Center complex at 143rd Street.
The second option moves the trail about 300 feet west of Ravinia Avenue to village-owned property behind homes along Avenida Del Este Street in the El Cameno subdivision.
