EBDRT FROM ST. CHARLES ROAD TO THE ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH (NORTH) PROJECT
About
The DuPage County Division of Transportation (DuDOT) is leading a project for the East Branch DuPage River Trail from St. Charles Road to the Illinois Prairie Path. This project is near Phase I Study completion during which environmental and engineering studies were conducted for agency coordination. ​
Involved agencies include:
This project will start the Phase II Study soon during which agency final approval will occur. The project team welcomes input on the proposed improvement plan. See Get Involved or the Contact webpage to share your thoughts.
Project Location
This project will extend the EBDRT approximately 1.3 miles south from St. Charles Road to the Illinois Prairie Path (IPP) passing through the Churchill Prairie Nature Preserve, Churchill Woods Forest Preserve, Tollway and Union Pacific Rail Road right-of-way, and Glenbard Wastewater Authority /Lombard property.
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See the map where you can scroll or zoom into any areas of interest.
Purpose
Once complete, the EBDRT will connect the Great Western Trail (GWT) and the Illinois Prairie Path via Churchill Woods.
Project Milestones
Illinois Tollway Coordination | 2022-2023
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Identified I-355 Underpass as preliminary preferred alternative to cross under UPRR
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Resulted in Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a detailed I-355 underpass alternative evaluation
Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies | 2024-2026
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Collect data and evaluate existing conditions
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Identify preliminary route through FPDDC and GWA property
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Evaluate near-term improvements on I-355
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Consider Tollway operations and potential future I-355 conditions
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Hold Public Information Meeting to gain stakeholder input on preferred alternative
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UPRR, FPDDC, Villages, GWA, Tollway, and ComEd concurrence
Phase II Design Engineering | 2026 - 2027
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Obtain final approvals for design and engineering plans
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Acquire land and/or lease agreements from UPRR, COMED, and Tollway.
Phase III Construction | TBD
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The construction start date will depend on plan readiness, funding availability, and the status of any needed land acquisition
ALTERNATIVES
The EBDRT alignment through Churchill Woods and the Glenbard Wastewater Authority property were coordinated with the involved agencies and designed to meet the project goals:
Safely connect the GWT to the IPP
Provide a user-friendly community asset
Preserve high-quality ecosystems
Combine with existing maintenance and access roads where possible
Maximize recreational benefits by balancing river proximity and flooding
Minimize new structures and wetland impacts
Preferred Alternative
From north to south, the preferred alternative includes:
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Start EBDRT construction at its north termini at the Churchill Woods existing trailhead
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Continue south along existing trails and access roads within Forest Preserve and COMED properties
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Modify the I-355 slope wall to pass under the Crescent Boulevard, Union Pacific Railroad, and Hill Avenue bridges along the west side of I-355
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Continue west along Hill Avenue and then south next to the Glenbard Wastewater Authority (GWA) access road
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Connect with the existing GWA access road to meet the Illinois Prairie Path at its south termini
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GET INVOLVED
Public involvement is essential as it allows stakeholders to provide input that addresses community concerns. Here are a few ways to stay involved and informed:
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Revisit this Website
Learn about the project, download documents, or submit a comment.
Attend the Meeting
A public information meeting will be held to gain stakeholder feedback on the proposed improvement plan. Details are still being determined and will be posted on this website.
Add a Public Comment
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If you have questions or comments, please visit the Contact page.
A project of the DuPage County Division of Transportation (DuDOT)
421 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: (630) 407-6900