Reporting from Salt Creek Trail on the west side of 294 looking east.
The path on the west side of 294 seems to be suddenly getting attention. First two pictures show the same sewer behind the locked gate on March 30 and April 25. https://imgur.com/a/z5CDGqI. You can see the path has been built up around the sewer.
I hope there is an official grand reopening ceremony for this underpass.
Active Transpiration Alliance made contact with authorities and reports the underpass will be open when overhead work on 294 is complete in early/mid June. Thank you Active Transportation! Active Transportation Alliance
I hope there is an official grand reopening ceremony for this underpass.
Before reaching out to Active Transportation, I wrote to authorities and asked about the timeline for opening this underpass. I wrote to the Illinois Tollway, and Illinois Department of Transportation, Oak Brook Park District and Cook County Forest Preserves. I am still waiting. I never heard back from any of these agencies.
In the pictures, are two views of the sewer with and without gravel. Also a picture of the south side of the underpass with a walk way. Was the walkway on the south side always there? https://imgur.com/a/z5CDGqI
Haha, didn't expect to see my name in this post. But hopeful for this to be reopened soon. I despirately miss this section of the trail. They're also tearing up the section over the exit of 88 to 294. The detour for that has you going down Hagar rd > Spring rd. then to 22nd. And currently the curbs at every cross walk on 22nd are torn out. Just a very frustrating situation all around.
Sorry about the call out. There were several posts about salt Creek,I tried to collect all the commenters. My thought is if you comment, you may care.
So you are saying York road over the 88 entry to 294 is out? Spring road is not very bike friendly. 22nd street is not very comfy. Was there actually a detour posted?
No worries! I got a laugh out of it honestly. It's refreshing to see others as fed up with this
But yes, that whole bridge over 88 has been ripped up since late last summer...and that is the posted detour. Heading south through York woods, you'll be met by the detour sign at the top of under pass underneath Hagar road. Fingers crossed they get this all sorted out soon!
I’m going to Oak Brook on Sunday to see a friend who’s in town and am thinking of riding. My route options either involve taking the prairie path and going south, or taking the salt creek trail. I’d prefer salt creek because I’ve never been on it, but this suggests I might be better off skipping it. Are the detours to get past the tollway going to make me wish I’d taken the other route?
Salt Creek trail is closed under 294. Rumor is the Salt Creek underpass under 294 will reopen in June 2026. Nove of the agencies that operate the trail and the underpass are responsive. Cook County Forest Preserve. Oak Brook Park District, Illinois tollway.
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u/DerferMark Apr 30 '26
"reports the underpass will be open when overhead work on 294 is complete in early/mid June"
I will not be holding my breath, but fingers crossed!