Tollway Receives Forest Preserve District’s Appreciation of Partners Award

The Illinois Tollway has received the 2022 Appreciation of Partners Award from the Forest Preserve District of Will County for assistance in helping make more than eight miles of the Veterans Memorial Trail a reality.

The planning process for the trail dates back more than 25 years, as the Tollway designed a 12.5-mile extension of I-355, also known as Veterans Memorial Highway, south into Will County. A 20-foot right-of-way for the path was included in the plan, which paved the way for the Veterans Memorial Trail becoming a reality.

A new 3.5-mile section of the path opened in October 2022. That trail segment connects the Spring Creek Greenway Trail in New Lenox with a state-owned trail along 159th Street in Lockport. Another 4.7-mile section of the trail connects Centennial Trail with the Woodridge Municipal Trail.

Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and Rocco Zucchero, the Tollway’s Chief Planning Officer, accepted the award at the February 9 Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners meeting.

“We are grateful for this recognition of our partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Will County and the Veterans Memorial Trail,” Rouse said. “You have done a remarkable job building a beautiful new trail that is perfect for a wide range of recreational activities, (including) biking, rollerblading, running, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.”

Ultimately, when all the planned trail segments have been completed, Veterans Memorial Trail will stretch about 15 miles from Internationale Parkway in Woodridge, south to Rt. 6 in New Lenox.

For more information on the Forest Preserve District of Will County, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.