According to this proposal, Orchard Drive will have bike lanes north of Lakewood Boulevard. (Graphic: Baxter & Woodman)
Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Representatives from the Village of Park Forest and consulting engineers Baxter & Woodman held an open house Monday evening regarding the upcoming reconstruction of Orchard Drive.
According to Village Engineer Ken Eyer, the proposal is that Orchard Drive remain four lanes from Indianwood Boulevard north to Lakewood Boulevard, and remain two lanes from Indianwood Boulevard south to Sauk Trail.
North of Lakewood Boulevard, however everything changes. From Lakewood Boulevard north, Orchard Drive will consist of three lanes: two for traffic, with a turning lane down the center. In addition, there will be bicycle lanes on both sides. It is not yet clear how far north the bike lanes will continue — current plans call for the bike lanes to end at Illinois Street, but some residents expressed hopes that the bike lanes would continue farther north toward Lincoln Highway.
The intersection of Orchard Drive and Lincoln Highway will be widened to accomodate two left-turn lanes.
Resurfacing of Orchard Drive from Sauk Trail to Lakewood Boulevard begin soon. Reconstruction of Orchard Drive north of Lakewood Boulevard is expected to begin in 2011.
