Bike and Pedestrian Bridge

For many years, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossing Salt Creek served as an important connector along Elk Grove Village’s network of trails and neighborhood paths. While not a major highway structure, this bridge played a key role in linking residential areas, parks, schools, and recreational routes across the creek — especially for people traveling on foot or by bike rather than by car.

A Link in the Local Trail Network

Salt Creek winds through Elk Grove Village and beyond, and over time a number of multi-use trails have grown up along and around it. These include regional routes such as the Salt Creek Greenway Trail, a roughly 25-mile system that follows Salt Creek from Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village all the way to Brookfield Zoo and connects with other major trails in the area.

The bike/pedestrian bridge over Salt Creek was part of this evolving non-motorized network — providing a safe way for cyclists, runners, walkers, and families to cross the creek without having to navigate busy roadways or long detours. It was frequently used for recreation, commuting to school, or simply getting out to enjoy the creekside scenery on warm afternoons.

Replacement and Renewal

By the early 2020s, the original bridge — built decades earlier and often prone to closures due to floods and wear — was showing its age. In response, the Village of Elk Grove Village undertook a major replacement project:

In 2023–2024, the village replaced the older structure with a new, longer, and wider multi-use bridge along Clearmont Drive over Salt Creek, creating a crossing that is about 400 feet long and 14 feet wide, with space for both pedestrians and cyclists to use comfortably. Elk Grove Village

The new design lifts the bridge out of the floodplain so it stays open more reliably during storms, adds LED lighting for safety, incorporates a scenic overlook for wildlife viewing, and broadly improves the look and accessibility of the crossing.

A ribbon-cutting celebration in June 2024 marked the opening of this updated bridge, drawing village officials and community members together to honor the project’s completion and its value to local residents.