North Cook News

Niles Village's trustees have begun filing grant requests to make infrastructural improvements at North Branch Trail, Gross Point Road, Touhy and Caldwell avenues.

The initial project had an estimated $450,000 price tag. If all grant applications were approved, that cost to the village would drop by approximately 90%. Should that happen, the infrastructure projects would improve pedestrian safety in the area, providing new pedestrian-operated stoplight crossings at the corner of Caldwell and Touhy, the Journal and Topics reported.

The works are a path to connect Touhy Avenue and Gross Point Road and reach the Touhy Triangle development, the Journal and Topics reported. The city is also planning to add sidewalks along the 6400 block of Touhy Avenue.

Construction for the projects is set to begin approximately during the summer of 2022. The trustees, alongside city officials, are exploring various grant and cost-sharing projects to reduce costs, including a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant through the state Department Of Transportation, as well as a $225,000 "Invest In Cook" grant, the Journal and Topics reported.

The CMAQ grant would provide up to $360,000 in financial support in an 80%-20% split, while the Cook grant would be a half and half split. With both grants' approval, Niles Village could use county funds to match the 20% asked for the CMAQ fund, the Journal and Topics reported. They could then reduce their ask for the Cook county grant, ultimately lowering the village's total cost to approximately $45,000.

In addition to these grants, Niles Village is also seeking an intergovernmental agreement with the Cook County Forest Preserve District in order to allow new signage for the village, the Journal and Topics reported. Niles Village would install new signs within the North Branch Trail as it approaches Touhy avenue with approval. The signs would serve to notify trail users of the major roadway up ahead.