Pedestrian Bridge Debate Splits Western Springs, Hinsdale

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — A majority of Western Springs residents prefer to keep the Interstate 294 pedestrian bridge where it is, while those in neighboring Hinsdale want to move it to 47th Street, surveys show. A decision is required because the state tollway system plans to remove the current bridge to make way for an expansion of the expressway.

The current bridge links Maple Street in Western Springs to Minneola Street in Hinsdale to the west. The 47th Street alternative is about a half mile south, linking Hinsdale Veeck and Spring Rock parks.

The tollway board has issued a survey seeking feedback from Western Springs and Hinsdale residents. Officials say the state agency wants a recommendation from both towns soon. Neither one has done so yet.

In Western Springs, 58 percent of residents favor keeping the bridge at its current site, while 38 percent prefer 47th, according to survey results released by Western Springs officials. Hinsdale produced an opposite result, with 53 percent of respondents in favor of 47th.

The issue came up at Monday's meeting of the Western Springs Village Board. Trustee Nicole Chen reported that the city's recreation committee, which includes her and Trustee James Tyrrell, split on the issue: She is in favor of 47th, while he wants to keep the current site.

Chen reported both the Western Springs Police Department and Western Springs Park District support 47th. One of the reasons for the police department's position is public safety, she said.

Trustee Heidi Rudolph said she was sympathetic to the safety concerns, saying the board has heard reports that people hanging out on the bridge cause mischief and litter.

"The logical place is 47th Street, where it connects two parks," Rudolph said.

Tyrrell, however, touted the advantages of the current site because the bridge connects people in Western Springs to Hinsdale businesses such as Whole Foods and bicycle paths to other suburbs. He said the bridge should come along with privacy fences where the path goes by houses because pedestrians can now look into homes.

Member Al Fink said the bridge has become a hot-button issue in recent months, more so than even the debate over whether to allow recreational marijuana sales.

Village President Alice Gallagher said the board would consider making a recommendation at its Dec. 16 meeting. She said she would not take part in the debate because she also is a member of the state tollway system's board. Her involvement, she said, could be perceived as a conflict of interest.

Village officials said the tollway makes the decision on the bridge, but an agency spokesman said it's up the villages. "The location of the new bridge is a local decision that will be determined by Hinsdale and Western Springs. The tollway plans to build the new bridge at whatever location is selected by the two communities," spokesman Dan Rozek said in an email.

Asked what would happen if the towns don't reach an agreement, Rozek said, "The tollway expects Hinsdale and Western Springs to decide on the appropriate site for the pedestrian bridge. The Tollway has no preference regarding the bridge location."

The Hinsdale Village Board meets next Tuesday. The board agenda has not been set, so it is unclear whether trustees will make a recommendation that day.