Illinois Supports Bicycle Path Improvements

Bicyclists in Illinois soon will have more paths to navigate thanks to $2.5 million in improvement grants for 2007.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich recently announced the grants that will help build new bicycle trails or improve existing paths in 11 communities in the state.

"These projects will help to build on Illinois' already impressive trail system. Not only will the grants improve the quality of life for residents in communities that are getting new trails or updating existing trails, they'll also help make the communities even more attractive to visitors," Gov. Blagojevich said in a news release about the grants.

Among the projects to be funded is the final phase of the American Discovery Trail Mississippi Crossing project, which connects the Illinois and Iowa Mississippi Trail. That $134,500 grant will complete a one-third mile bicycle/pedestrian path on the western edge of Arsenal Island and allow bikers, walkers and joggers to cross over from one state to the other.

Illinois boasts more than 100 miles of bike trails throughout the state. Among the most significant is the 62-mile Illinois Prairie Path through the Chicago suburbs. It was one of the first rail-trails in the country. Also, Vadalabene Bike Trail offers magnificent scenery as bikers ride below towering bluffs along the Mississippi River between Alton and Grafton and the Fox River Valley Bike Trail meanders for 35 miles from Aurora to Algonquin through picturesque small towns.

The Bicycle Path Grant Program reimburses local governments up to 50 percent of the cost of the project and is funded by a percentage of motor vehicle transfer fees. Development projects are limited to $200,000 maximum awards. Land acquisition grants have no limitations.

2007 Bicycle Grant Program grants
Champaign Park District: $200,000 to construct the first phase of the Pipeline Trail. This trail will intersect with two other proposed trails and Porter Family Park.

Granite City: $200,000 to construct the first phase of the Six Mile Prairie Trail. This project will connect with the Madison County Transit District Nature Trail.

Madison County Transit District: $200,000 to build an additional 3.5 miles of trail, connecting the Staunton to Worden Trail to the Quercus Grove to Hamel Trail.

Madison County Transit District: $200,000 to construct the first phase of the Troy to O'Fallon Trail.

Metro East Park and Recreation District: $576,600 for land acquisition to build two sections of a total of 9.5 miles of the future Scott-Troy Trail.

Frankfort Township: $200,000 to construct 2.1 miles of trail that will directly link with a recently completed segment completed by the Frankfort Square Park District.

Lake County Forest Preserve District: $200,000 to construct a trail that will connect the Millennium Trail in Lakewood Forest Preserve to the Ray Lake Forest Preserve.

Lincolnwood: $158,000 to renovate one mile of trail that connects Chicago to Skokie.

Orland Park: $197,000 to develop a trail to connect to the Tinley Creek Forest Preserve and Trail system.

Rock Island: $134,500 to construct bicycle/pedestrian multi-use trail on the western tip of Arsenal Island. This will complete the American Discovery Trail Mississippi Crossing project, which connects the Illinois and Iowa Mississippi Trail.

Romeoville: $182,200 to construct a trail on a railroad corridor that will connect to the Normantown Road Trail and to the Conservation Park Trail.

Will County Forest Preserve District: $200,000 to construct a one-mile trail extension of the Plank Road Trail in Joliet.