Signs of Easier Route Riding Ahead for Wheaton Cyclists

An agreement between the city with the federal government that the City Council approved Monday will provide funding to install route signs along almost 30 miles of Wheaton bike routes, the Daily Herald reports.

The federal funding for the signs comes from  the  Congestion  Mitigation  and  Air  Quality  Improvement  Program, according to the Daily Herald.

Under the agreement, the city will receive funding for 80 percent of the project’s cost, although the maximum payout is limited to $144,160, according to the Daily Herald, which said the funds will be used for:

• Engineering and planning work.

• Installation along the trails of between 400 and 600 signs and informational markings.

The  city’s share of the project cost would be $36,000.

According to the paper, between 400 and 600 signs and “informational markings” will be installed. The vote was 5-2, with councilmen Thor Saline and John Rutledge dissenting.

"I work in downtown Chicago, where many bike lanes have been set up and I think it's a great thing to see many people using bicycles to get around rather than cars," the Suburban Life quoted Councilman John Prendiville saying.

However, the paper said, Rutledge called it “a very poor use of $180,000 and a poor use of our $36,000," adding, "I think we can get some bike lanes striped and a few signs up. I do like to ride my bicycle and I think I can find my way around town without a guide."