Kate Thayer, TribLocal reporter

Schaumburg runners and bikers could have another path if the village is awarded a state grant.

The Martingale Road Bike Path project would construct a path, beginning at Olympic Park at Martingale and Schaumburg roads, running south into White Trails Street in Elk Grove Village and then connecting to Busse Woods.

The Village Board approved an application for a state grant to fund 80 percent of the $1.5 million project that is part of comprehensive bike path plan, established in 2000.

June Johnson, Schaumburg director of transportation, said she expects to hear in October whether the village got the grant. This is the third time the village has applied for a grant for this project.

If successful, the village board would consider how to pay the remaining 20 percent of the cost, Johnson said. 

State officials examine the potential use of a path before deciding whether to award a grant, and because this connects two municipalities and a forest preserve works in the village’s favor, Johnson said.

“We feel this path is key so you can get from village to village,” Johnson said. Schaumburg already has 87 miles of bike paths or lanes.

Another factor for state officials to consider, she said, is that employees of the nearby Alexian Brothers Medical Center on Biesterfield Road could use the path to bike to work.