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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Eric J. Gallt, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: June 20, 2016
SUBJECT:
Resolution approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora, Illinois and Forest Preserve District of Kane County for the Kautz Road Shared Use path adjacent to Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora, IL.
PURPOSE:
This agreement will allow City to access the Oakhurst Forest Preserve property to build the Kautz Road Shared Use Path. A certain portion (approx. 160 feet (max) in length and 7 feet deep) is anticipated to be used for building the path/trail in the Forest Preserve property.
BACKGROUND:
In an effort to improve the pedestrian and bicyclist's environment for the residents, work groups, commuters and visitors, the City has been continually improving its bicycle facilities. Kautz Road Multi-Use Path project is yet another effort to get the path built in the dedicated Kautz Road ROW to facilitate better connections to the existing bike network system. The City desires to build the Kautz Road Shared Use Path in the Kautz Right of Way between McCoy Drive and New York Street. The path will make connections to the newly constructed multi-use path on New York Street to its north and to its south it will connect to the existing Kautz Road bike path just south of McCoy Drive. The proposed path is an important missing link that has the potential to connect the southern bikeway network to the existing northern bikeway network.
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DISCUSSION:
The proposed path/trail is designed to go in the existing right of way, the city right of way becomes narrow and constrained on the northern portion of the proposed path near Cheshire Drive. In order to maintain a proper path alignment and separation from roadway, a certain portion of the path is proposed to be placed in the Oakhurst Forest Preserve on to its west side.
The Forest Preserve District has been supportive of this project since the beginning and has a clear understandin...
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