CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough today took part in the opening of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge that crosses the Des Plaines River and connects the CTA Blue line parking lot in Forest Park to the Cook County Court House and the Illinois Prairie Path located in Maywood.

“On behalf of the Blagojevich Administration, IDOT is extremely pleased that we are able to open up this new bridge just in time for spring,” said IDOT Chief of Staff Clayton Harris III. “This new span will improve the quality of life for pedestrians, mass transit users and bicyclists. I also want to thank Rep. Yarbrough for her leadership and persistence in bringing this important project to completion.”

Rep. Yarbrough was instrumental in pushing for legislation that secured funding of $540,000 for the bridge, which was constructed during the last year.

"Today marks the end of seven years of collaborative effort by many individuals and levels of government and the beginning of a way to move people from public transportation to the Maybrook Courthouse,” Rep. Yarbrough said. “This pedestrian bridge across the Des Plaines River will connect communities, provide access for those using our valued Prairie Path and allow CTA commuters to exit the Forest Park Blue Line and enter the court building."

The project also had strong backing from bicycling enthusiasts, because it links two sections of the Illinois Prairie Path, a 55-mile long biking, hiking and nature trail that runs through Cook, DuPage and Kane Counties.

Until the opening of the bridge, Blue Line riders on the CTA who were attempting to get to the Courthouse were required to take a lengthy bus ride.

The new bridge was built on an abandoned railroad alignment and reuses one of the existing abutments from the former railroad bridge.  The span is 190 feet long and has a 50 foot long, precast concrete approach slab on the west end.

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