ST. CLAIR COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF ITS $6 MILLION, 4.5-MILE METROBIKELINK TRAIL EXTENSION

Representatives of the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) today joined local officials, stakeholders and residents to celebrate the grand opening of a new $6 million, 4.5-mile extension of the MetroBikeLink Trail. This milestone marks the completion of the first of three parts of the MetroLink Expansion Project to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, with the MetroLink extension and associated roadway improvements anticipated to open in late summer.

The new trail segment runs parallel to the MetroLink alignment from the existing bike path at Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. It features scenic views, rolling inclines, three bridges, no stops and passes through Silver Creek Wetlands, home to native wildlife. The trail is ideal for cyclists looking to build speed and endurance.

During the grand opening ceremony, those in attendance heard remarks from project partners and local leaders about the continued growth of the MetroBikeLink System and its role in enhancing connectivity and quality of life across the region. Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to take part in an inaugural bike ride and explore the new trail segment firsthand.

“The continued expansion of the MetroBikeLink System reflects our commitment to providing safe, accessible and connected transportation options for residents and visitors alike,” said Mark Kern, St. Clair County Chairman. “This new segment not only enhances recreational opportunities, but also strengthens connections to jobs, education and other destinations throughout the bi-state region.”

Construction on the trail commenced in 2023 and was completed in June 2026. The bike trail was designed as part of a combined effort between engineering firms WSP, TWM and EFK Moen, with elements constructed under four different contracts that utilized dozens of subcontractors. SCCTD funded $5.5 million of the project, with an additional $500,000 in grants from the Metro East Park and Recreation District ($300,000) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ($200,000).

The MetroBikeLink Trail is the spine of the MetroBikeLink System – consisting of 40 miles of interconnecting trails throughout St. Clair County. It runs adjacent to the MetroLink alignment for more than 18 miles between the Fairview Heights Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. It connects to seven Metro Transit Centers in five different communities – offering seamless integration of biking and transit use via the MetroLink, MetroBus and microtransit options like the SCCTD Flyer and connecting riders to key destinations across the region.

“The MetroBikeLink System seamlessly links residents to our world-class transit system and expands opportunities for multimodal travel across St. Clair County,” said Ken Sharkey, managing director of the St. Clair County Transit District. “This momentum will only continue as we look ahead to the 5-mile MetroLink extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport opening in the coming months. Projects like this are only possible through strong partnerships — and we are deeply grateful to the State of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Metro East Park and Recreation District and our many community partners for their support. We also extend our appreciation to our local contractors, union labor and the Southwestern Illinois Building Trades, whose hard work and craftsmanship brought this trail to life. This is a true testament to the strength of our region and the impact of investing in quality infrastructure.”

To learn more about SCCTD’s MetroBikeLink System, visit www.scctd.org/metrobikelink.