West Chicago Needs A Fair Slice Of Prairie Path Funding!

As an avid biker around West Chicago, I've encountered 12 years of problems when accessing the prairie path system. I live on the far north side of town in ward 5. For me, access involves crossing either busy route 59 or 64 at locations where there are no pedestrian cross walks. Through my alderman, I've found out that there are plans to extend the Great Western Trail from its intersection with the Elgin branch to the Willow Creek Subdivision. West Chicago's involvement will only concern the Willow Creek end. The rest of the extension will be funded by the county since a majority will run through unincorporated sections of town. I fear that this will be done with out giving proper thought to access for those who live in Waynewood, Ingalton Hills Estates and the town homes on either side of route 59.

Why do I fear this? It seems to me that West Chicago gets the short end of the county "pork" supply anyway.  Most of the prairie path system that runs through our city or the forest preserves there in are in need of the basics like more ground limestone and less mud. Other access points, like from the Elgin Branch to the Geneva spur could use some widening for safety and the Geneva spur that runs though downtown could use some more thought on it's routing. Why is it called the Geneva spur anyway?  It doesn't touch Geneva until past the airport. 99% of it runs through West Chicago.

I'm sure with a little more investment on the county's part, more West Chicago users of the Prairie Path system will be generated. Being the path hub that West Chicago is it's residents should have the easiest time in accessing this great resource. They don't and the county should help.

Greg Simunich
151 Amber Court, W.C.
630.876.1718
exwxman@surfree.com