IL Governor Announces $2.1M in grants for local bike paths

A total of $2,161,000 in grants to help communities develop and improve 13 local bike path projects throughout Illinois was announced today by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The St. Clair County Transit District is set to receive $200,000 for a MetroBikeLink Extension.  The five-mile expansion of St. Clair County’s light rail line from Shiloh-Scott Station to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah has given the St. Clair County Transit District an opportunity to expand its 15-mile MetroBikeLink shared-use path system, which runs adjacent to the light rail line. This trail will be an important part of efforts to link transportation modes in the community. The trail will add three miles to the growing trail system.

“Bicycle path projects are excellent drivers of job creation and economic development, while also increasing road safety for bicyclists,” Governor Pritzker said. “Illinois’ beautiful natural landscape should be accessible and safe for all to enjoy, and I’m pleased that projects like this help make that goal a reality.”

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Funding comes from a percentage of the motor vehicle title fees, providing a maximum grant award of $200,000 per project for development projects, with no maximum grant award limit for land acquisition projects.

The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to eligible local units of government to assist them in the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of public off-road, non-motorized bicycle paths and directly related facilities, such as a drinking water and restrooms, in Illinois.