A major expansion of the walking path around Galesburg’s Lake Storey is expected to be completed next year, with a full loop around the city-owned lake on track to be finished in 2027.
The project is funded by a pair of Illinois Transportation Enhancement program grants totaling nearly $2.7 million dollars.
The multi-use path currently runs along the north and west sides of the lake. The upcoming work will finish the other sides and create a seamless, fully paved path around the lake to be used for hiking, running, biking, and walking pets.
“This is a long time coming and we're excited to see this project come to fruition,” said City Manager Eric Hanson.
The initial ITEP Grant of $2 million, awarded in 2021, will extend the 10-foot-wide multi-use path along South Lake Storey Road. Bidding on that phase is expected to begin in early 2026 and be completed later that year.
A second ITEP grant of $655,560, awarded in 2023, will extend the path to the north, completing the full loop around the lake.
That phase will also use the Illinois Department of Transportation’s bridge over U.S. Route 150 to cross the lake. The city council this week approved a letter of commitment with IDOT that outlines the city and state responsibilities regarding construction and maintenance of that section of the path.
The city says the continuous path, when completed, will be a “unifying recreational artery” and enhance the connection with Carl Sandburg College, which is located near the south side of Lake Storey.
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