Great Western Trail (Illinois)
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The Great Western Trail in Illinois is made up of two non-consecutive sections of the former right-of-way of the Chicago Great Western Railway in suburban Chicago and northern Illinois that have been converted into biking and hiking trails.
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[edit] Western section
The western-most, and older, section of the Great Western Trail is located between western St. Charles in Kane County and eastern Sycamore in DeKalb County. This section was right-of-way that was abandoned in 1977. The eighteen-mile crushed-stone path traverses unincorporated rural townships, natural wetlands, some restored prairies, and farmland.
[edit] Eastern section
The newer of the two sections, between Villa Park and West Chicago in DuPage County, is made up of right-of-way that was abandoned piecemeal throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. As the railway was abandoned, the government of DuPage County made upgrades to the path, and between 1990 through 1992, the trail was converted from a rail grade to a bicycle trail. The twelve-mile crushed stone path crosses some farmland and suburban areas. At the east end of the trail is a restored former CGW depot building. The Great Western trail also was extended to make a connection with the Illinois Prairie Path in 1995. In 1998, a new bridge was built over Interstate 355, while the next year, a new bridge was built over the West Branch of the DuPage River.[1]
The Great Western Trail is designated as DuPage County Highway 55 for its entire length.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ DuPage County Department of Economic Development and Transportation Planning, Tylin International, Bascor et. al. (2003-07). Proposed Improvement Plan for the Existing DuPage County Trail System. Retrieved on 2005-12-28.
- ^ DuPage County (2005-03-31). Listing of DuPage County Highways. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
