Woodstock seeks input on bike, pedestrian path eyed as part of Route 47 expansion

Woodstock officials are seeking resident input through a short survey on a new walking and bike path route planned as part of the Route 47 expansion set to begin within two to three years.

While the road expansion from two lanes to four has been budgeted by the state, the city is still seeking funding for an additional pedestrian and bike path that would be connected to the Route 47 project, according to a city news release. The city has applied for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant that could provide up to $2 million.

The city has begun working with a contractor on the engineering for the new path.

The goal is to connect the revamped Route 47 stretch from U.S. Route 14 to Illinois Route 120 – which also includes pedestrian and cyclists-centric improvements – to the Historic Woodstock Square.

The proposed route would connect downtown neighborhoods with shopping, educational facilities and entertainment, city officials have said. An additional leg connecting at Lake Avenue and Route 47 would link with the existing regional Prairie Trail, with access to McHenry County College and Crystal Lake.

The city is asking interested residents to provide feedback through an online survey available on the Woodstock website's home page at woodstockil.gov or its Facebook page.

For information, contact the city grants and communications manager Terry Willcockson at twillcockson@woodstockil.gov.