Bike Path Ground Breaking At 135th And CITGO in Lockport

I&M-CENTENNIAL TRAIL BIKE PATH CONNECTION MASTER PLAN/courtesy City of Lockport

A ground breaking today that will connect bike paths in the heart of Lockport. An idea that has been in the works for about six years. CITGO has donated over $450,000 to redo the bike path connection between the I&M Canal and Centennial Trail. The project is expected to be completed by fall of this year and it will better connect Lemont, Lockport and Romeoville.

In October 2019, the City of Lockport adopted their Bicycle Master Plan. The plan’s purpose was to serve as a guide for the planning, prioritization, and implementation of biking and pedestrian trails that link the City’s recreational spaces, schools, commercial areas and other community destinations. One of the recommendations included in the master plan was to develop a multi- city bike trail that connects the cities of Lemont, Lockport, Romeoville, and Joliet. Currently the I&M Canal Trail runs north from Joliet through Lockport, and connects to the Centennial Trail in Romeoville at Romeo Road. The Centennial Trail continues north to Lemont and connects to the Veterans Memorial Trail. The connection at Romeo Road is adjacent to CITGO Petroleum Corporation. This section of trail is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and leased to the Village of Romeoville.

The City of Lockport and CITGO engaged the planning team of JSD Professional Services, Inc., in June 2021 to research the feasibility of upgrading and improving this connection. The goal of the I&M – Centennial Trail Bike Path Connection Master Plan is to improve trail connectivity, identification, and safety.

A kick-off meeting was conducted in June which included the formation of the Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Committee includes representatives from the Village of Romeoville, Village of Lemont, The Forest Preserve District of Will County, and the City of Lockport.

Based on the goals, objectives and needs defined by previous public facilitation efforts, site analysis and discussion during the kick-off meeting, a conceptual plan was developed to illustrate a defined and enhanced connection from the existing I&M Canal trail head across Old Romeo Road and up to Romeo Road which connects to the Centennial
Trail to the west. The conceptual design for the enhanced connection includes:

• Visually separated marked lane (painted with “sharrows”)
• Flexible bollards
• Improved directional signage
• Bike repair station
• Seating
• Information kiosk
• Public art
• Parking
• Landscape plantings

Click picture below to see the entire master plan.