Work Continues On Veterans Memorial Trail In Lockport

LOCKPORT, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County will enhance and expand several trails in its system in 2022, including trails in Lockport.

Throughout the District’s 95-year existence, the Forest Preserve has worked – often with partner agencies – to extend, link and improve its trails so that county residents have a solid network of paths not only recreation, but also as an option for travel to and from work, the grocery store or area attractions, the preserve said in a release.

“We’re always planning for the future and maintaining what we have,” said Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve’s executive director. “Maintenance is a big part of what we do. But we also look toward the future to make more trail connections between our preserves and between people and our preserves. We’re creating community connections.”

Schultz said the regional trails are the “backbone” of the system, but the smaller trails extending to parks and neighborhoods are just as important.

In the coming months, work will continue on the Veterans Memorial Trail. The preserve said the trail will be extended 3.5 miles north from the Spring Creek Greenway Trail to a state-owned trail along 159th Street in Lockport. Surveying and vegetation removal began in October 2021.

Construction is anticipated to resume in the spring, according to the preserve. Located mainly within the Interstate 355 corridor, the trail will also utilize city and county right of ways to make connections, including pedestrian tunnels under Bruce Road and 167th Street.

This portion of the Veterans Memorial Trail is scheduled to be completed in October. Eventually, another phase of construction will extend the path north from 159th Street to 135th Street in Romeoville, the preserve said.