'Road Diet' Could Pave Way For Bike Lanes On Windsor Drive

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — More bike-friendly streets may be coming soon to Arlington Heights. On Monday night, the Village Board approved a contract with Civiltech Engineering, Inc, of Itasca, for an engineering study into the feasibility of a "road diet" on Windsor Drive from Palatine Road to Crabtree Drive.

The cost for the Phase 1 report, as part of the Village's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, will not exceed $69,711. A "road diet" consists of reducing the number of travel lanes in order to accommodate an on-street bicycle lane, according to the meeting's agenda.

Trustee Robin LaBedz requested the item be taken off the consent agenda for the meeting after she said feedback from some residents indicated they thought approval of the study indicated "this was happening right now." The item was discussed by the board, including a breakdown by Village Engineer Mike Pagones.

"This study will involve public involvement, as part of the study, before the recommendations are made," Pagones said. "There will be ample opportunity for the public to engage and provide feedback."

When the Village adopted the updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 2017, six high-priority projects were identified and described in the plan as improved bicycle and pedestrian access to Lake Arlington and Trail. The plan specifically recommends a roadway reconfiguration, commonly referred to as a “road diet” on Windsor Drive from Palatine Road to Crabtree Drive, according to the agenda. The 2021 Budget includes funding for a Phase 1 Study to determine if the road diet is feasible as proposed in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. In addition, most Federal grant opportunities require that a Phase 1 Study is completed before an application will be considered.

The Village requested proposals from qualified professional engineering consultants to prepare a Phase 1 Project Development Report from the Illinois Department of Transportation for a roadway reconfiguration that will include bike lanes along Windsor Drive with necessary pedestrian and bicycle improvements at intersections located within the project corridor.

The Civiltech bid was higher than the other two proposals — BLA, Inc Consulting Engineers ($43,000) and Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. ($69,221) — but a committee determined the Civiltech plan provided the "most comprehensive proposal that comprised all elements requested by the Village."