New Lenox, IL – A heavily used stretch of the Old Plank Road Trail between New Lenox and Joliet will close Monday as a $1.3 million rehabilitation project gets underway.
According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, the seven-mile section between Schoolhouse Road and Washington Street will be shut down beginning Aug. 25. The closure is expected to last approximately two months, with barricades placed at all street crossings along the affected segment.
The Old Plank Road Trail is a 22-mile corridor converted from a former rail line, providing outdoor access across several communities. It was identified early in the district’s Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Program, launched in 2013, as a priority for long-term upkeep.
“We’ve established 135 miles of trails, more than 50 preserve access points, and seven visitor facilities that invite people to explore and reconnect with nature,” said Deputy Director Adam Oestmann. “But with every new addition comes the responsibility to care for what we’ve built.”
The rehabilitation is part of the Forest Preserve’s broader commitment to maintaining more than 700,000 square yards of asphalt across its roads, lots, and trails.
“Building new trails and making new connections will always be exciting, but just as important is caring for the ones that already exist,” Oestmann added. “The Old Plank Road Trail serves many communities and offers people the opportunity to get outside to walk, run, ride, and recharge.”
The project is slated for completion by late October, weather permitting.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
