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Work is expected to begin by the beginning of May to renovate East Peoria’s River Trail of Illinois.
The renovation work, which is expected to take approximately four weeks and be completed by the beginning of June, will give the trail a new asphalt surface. However, the trail will be out of commission for joggers, walkers and bikers for the duration of the project.
“When that (construction) process starts, basically the trail is not going to be usable,” Brad Smith, Fon du Lac Park District director, said. “Once they start, they’re going to start on one end and work their way across almost all 5 miles of it.”
Smith added that there are several reasons for closing the entire 4.8 mile trail while construction is under way.
“(We) don’t want people to be out there walking across brand new concrete or getting hurt,” Smith said. “There’s just no way to make sure that people are safe and construction is not impeded if we try to leave sections open. It will also increase the cost of construction because it will slow things down.”
The 21-year-old trail has been in need of a renovation for several years, Smith said. Wheel ruts, tree roots upending asphalt sections and wear and tear over the years have caused the trail’s upcoming overlay to become necessary.
“Over the course of the years, we’ve done what we can do to keep it in the best shape possible, but like any street or sidewalk, whatever you build only has a certain life before you have to do reconstruction,” Smith said.
In addition to repairing the trail’s surface, the improvements will help ensure that the trail remains in good condition for a longer period of time. A 3-inch asphalt surface will be installed, anupgrade over the trail’s current 2-inch surface.
Although the construction and subsequent closing will impact those who frequent the trail, Smith said that the renovation would affect those who frequent it, regardless of when the construction begins.
“(The trail) is very heavily used, but it definitely is in serious need of repair,” he said. “Any time that the weather is decent, it’s a high-use area, so we’re going to impact people regardless of whether we do it now, in the middle of summer or the fall.
“We figure we might as well get it in, get it done and let the people enjoy. It’s a pretty big project and if we get it done in the course of May, school won’t be out yet,” he added.
Although the trail’s closure may be an inconvenience in the short-term, Smith said the finished product will be worth the wait.
“(The trail) is pretty rough so it’ll be a lot nicer for anyone who wants to walk, ride a bike, roller blade or whatever it might be. It’ll be a lot nicer system for them when it’s completed,” he said.
Work is expected to begin by the beginning of May to renovate East Peoria’s River Trail of Illinois.
The renovation work, which is expected to take approximately four weeks and be completed by the beginning of June, will give the trail a new asphalt surface. However, the trail will be out of commission for joggers, walkers and bikers for the duration of the project.
“When that (construction) process starts, basically the trail is not going to be usable,” Brad Smith, Fon du Lac Park District director, said. “Once they start, they’re going to start on one end and work their way across almost all 5 miles of it.”
Smith added that there are several reasons for closing the entire 4.8 mile trail while construction is under way.
“(We) don’t want people to be out there walking across brand new concrete or getting hurt,” Smith said. “There’s just no way to make sure that people are safe and construction is not impeded if we try to leave sections open. It will also increase the cost of construction because it will slow things down.”
The 21-year-old trail has been in need of a renovation for several years, Smith said. Wheel ruts, tree roots upending asphalt sections and wear and tear over the years have caused the trail’s upcoming overlay to become necessary.
“Over the course of the years, we’ve done what we can do to keep it in the best shape possible, but like any street or sidewalk, whatever you build only has a certain life before you have to do reconstruction,” Smith said.
In addition to repairing the trail’s surface, the improvements will help ensure that the trail remains in good condition for a longer period of time. A 3-inch asphalt surface will be installed, anupgrade over the trail’s current 2-inch surface.
Although the construction and subsequent closing will impact those who frequent the trail, Smith said that the renovation would affect those who frequent it, regardless of when the construction begins.
“(The trail) is very heavily used, but it definitely is in serious need of repair,” he said. “Any time that the weather is decent, it’s a high-use area, so we’re going to impact people regardless of whether we do it now, in the middle of summer or the fall.
“We figure we might as well get it in, get it done and let the people enjoy. It’s a pretty big project and if we get it done in the course of May, school won’t be out yet,” he added.
Although the trail’s closure may be an inconvenience in the short-term, Smith said the finished product will be worth the wait.
“(The trail) is pretty rough so it’ll be a lot nicer for anyone who wants to walk, ride a bike, roller blade or whatever it might be. It’ll be a lot nicer system for them when it’s completed,” he said.
