Title
Joint resolution authorizing grant applications to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for an Illinois Transportation Enhancements Program (ITEP) grant for the construction of two stages of the Patriot Path (Illinois Route 137 bike path).
Staff Summary
• The Illinois Transportation Enhancements Program Cycle 14 is underway.
• The Patriot Path is a new multi-use path to provide a non-motorized travel connection from the Des Plaines River Trail to the Robert McClory Bike Path.
• The Patriot Path will be constructed in four stages, with Stages I and IV planned to be constructed before Stages II and III.
• This resolution authorizes the Lake County Division of Transportation to submit two applications and, if approved, they will be brought back to the Lake County Board for acceptance of the grant agreements and appropriation of the necessary matching funds.
• This project is included in the transportation improvement program with Phase II Engineering and Land Acquisition work planned in 2021, and is designated as Section 15-00289-01-BT.
Body
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, this Lake County Board, by prior resolution at its May 12, 2015 meeting, adopted a resolution approving a Phase I study of a proposed bike path along Illinois Route 137 from the Des Plaines River Trail to the Robert McClory Bike Path, also known as the Patriot Path; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant application Cycle 14 is underway through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT); and
WHEREAS, IDOT is authorized to award $105,600,000 in ITEP Grants pursuant to Section 1109 of the FAST Act (23 U.S.C. 133(h)) and Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2705-615); and
WHEREAS, funds for the ITEP Cycle 14 are to be awarded for up to $2,000,000 maximum per project, on a competitive basis for well planned projects that provide and support alternate modes of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Patriot Path was identified as a high priority project in the Lake County 2040 Transportation Plan’s Non-Motorized Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Patriot Path was identified in the Northeastern Illinois Greenways and Trails Plan (RGTP), which is a long-range plan that envisions a network of continuous greenway and trail corridors, linked across jurisdictions, providing scenic beauty, natural habitat, and recreational and transportation opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the County is desirous to submit separate applications for ITEP funding for both Patriot Path Stage I, from the Des Plaines River Trail to East of O’Plaine Road, and Patriot Path Stage IV, from US Route 41 to the Robert McClory Bike; and
WHEREAS, the County will appropriate the required 20 percent local match, plus any additional amounts as may be required for the County’s share, if said grants are awarded.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by this Lake County Board that the County Board Chair, the County Clerk and the County Engineer are authorized and hereby directed to apply for separate grants from IDOT, under its ITEP Cycle 14, for the Patriot Path Stage I and Patriot Path Stage IV.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the said grants are approved by IDOT, they will be brought back to the Lake County Board for the appropriation of the necessary funds for the required local match plus any additional amounts as may be required, and for any agreement necessary between the County and IDOT.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on October 13, 2020.