2022 Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Update

McHenry County Connection Plan

The McHenry County Connection Pedestrian, Bicycle and Trails Master Plan provides a framework for improving biking and walking infrastructure in McHenry County. This includes biking and walking for commuting to work and school, recreation, and all discretionary trips such as shopping or socializing.

 The plan provides a guiding document for the McHenry County Council of Mayors and its partner jurisdictions to develop biking and walking infrastructure over the next several decades. Through a thorough analysis of existing conditions and datasets and inclusion of stakeholders throughout the planning process, a comprehensive set of infrastructure, policy and maintenance recommendations were developed to set a path for McHenry County and its partners in pursuit of improving biking and walking conditions for all roadway users.

Recommended Facilities

This Master Plan includes a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at designing facilities, infrastructure, policy and maintenance procedures built to sustain McHenry County’s biking and walking infrastructure well into the future.

A map of recommended facilities is provided, creating a thorough bike network connecting the County’s many destinations, including recreational areas, schools, historic downtowns, and employment centers. A range of facilities are recommended, based on the nature and context of the roadway. Numerous sidewalk and crossing recommendations are also included to improve the ability for pedestrians to travel through the County and for cyclists to reach biking facilities.

Other recommendations include provisions for wayfinding and bike parking; promoting pedestrian and bike friendly environments; and placemaking. Operations and maintenance strategies aim to create an overarching system of management that will streamline funding and maintenance efforts going forward as a comprehensive biking and walking network is only as effective as the condition of facilities.