SCCTD MetroBikeLink System

EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS AND ENJOY FUN, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES ON THE METROBIKELINK SYSTEM

The St. Clair County Transit District MetroBikeLink System includes 31 miles of trails and bike paths along MetroLink and connecting trails in Southwestern Illinois.  The development of a bicycle trail adjacent to the St. Clair County MetroLink extension was an important piece in the St. Clair County Transit District’s (SCCTD) efforts to link transportation modes in the community. Since the initial trail, the system has expanded to include multiple other trails all connecting in with the original MetroBikeLink and transit.  The trail connects 6 MetroLink Stations and the connecting MetroBus system and microtransit including the SCCTD Flyer and VanGo.  Bikes can be brought on MetroLink as well as all Metrobuses are equipped with exterior racks.

Location and Trail Year Built
Belleville – Orchard Loop Trail Phase 1 2018
MetroBikeLink – Memorial Hospital to Fairview Heights 2019
Shiloh -Engelmann Farm Connector 2020
Belleville – Orchard Loop Trail Phase 2 2020
Swansea – Mel Price Park Connector to MetroBikeLink      2020
Swansea – Fullerton Road Trail Connector to MetroBikeLink 2020
Fairview & O’Fallon – St. Ellen Trail 2021
Shiloh – Air Mobility Drive 2021
Belleville – Old Collinsville Road Phase 1 2022
Swansea – Old Collinsville Road Phase 2 2022
Belleville – Tecklenberg Trail 2024
Swansea – Old Collinsville Road Phase 3 2023
Fairview – Old Collinsville Road Phase 4 2024
Fairview Swansea Trail Phase 2 2024
MetroBikeLink – Shiloh Scott to Rieder Road 2025
MetroBikeLink – Reider Road to MidAmerica Airport 2025
Fairview – Trolley Trail 2025

 

 

MetroBikeLink System Ride Through Videos:

Fairview Heights Section of MetroBikeLink System 

The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) 3.5 mile trail extension from the Memorial MetroLink Station to the Fairview Heights Station has historic roots in the community as the economic engine of Southwestern Illinois from the late 1800’s through early 1900’s with access to many of the area’s coal mines.  The trail follows the old CSX rail alignment and Schoenberger Creek through hills and hollers of the Dutch Hollow area of Belleville and Fairview Heights.  The trail passes by what was once the Winslow Mining Company.  It was a stop on the St. Louis and Southeastern Railway, which was acquired by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1879. There were several other mines along this route, and the new trail will provide a scenic, pastoral ride, walk or jog through St. Clair County. This section of trail connects to the other 11.5 miles of MetroBikeLink for a total of 14 miles of paved trails along Metro.

SCCTD Orchard Loop Trail

The Orchard Loop Trail provides approximately 4 miles of trail on hilly terrain. This trail veers off the MetroBikeLink Trail between the SWIC/College MetroLinkStation and the Belleville MetroLink Station, and passes by Belle Valley Grade School. The trail has a terminus at Eckert’s Farm, where dedicated SCCTD Trail parking is provided.  Additionally the trail loops over Green Mount Road to the east, and provides safe passage over this busy highway, and finally connects with the Orchards Subdivision.

SCCTD St. Ellen Trail

SCCTD has partnered with the City of O’Fallon and Caseyville Township to double the length of the St. Ellen Trail. This trail extends a full mile from Hartman Lane to Ashland Avenue. The exiting trail has been widened and resurfaced, bringing it up to current MetroBikeLink trail standards.  The trail connects with the path at St. Ellen Park.

Air Mobility Trail

SCCTD assisted Shiloh to ensure this off-road trail was possible. The trail begins at the end of Seibert Road Trail at Johnson Road in Shiloh and extends to Air Mobility Drive where it proceeds a mile south to the MetroBikeLink system.

SCCTD Old Collinsville Road Trail

This corridor is an off-road trail, extending from Lebanon Avenue in Belleville to Frank Scott Parkway in Swansea, and includes a connection to Swansea’s Clinton Hill Recreation Park. This fall SCCTD will open Phase III of the Old Collinsville Road Trail from Munie Road to Frank Scott Parkway. The last phase will be built in 2024, taking the corridor to Ashland Ave., where it connects with the St. Ellen Trail.  The SCCTD has been awarded four MERPD grants for adjacent phases, as well as two Illinois DNR bike trail grants to help with construction costs.

Tecklenburg Trail

This proposed 1.1-mile bike and pedestrian pathway will extend from Main Street and 66th Street in Belleville to the MetroBikeLink near the Dutch Hollow/Llewellyn Roads wye, connecting residents in the West Belleville area to the trail system.  The trail will be a very scenic addition, as it is planned to transverse through wooded/remote areas. The trail will feature a 1,000-foot long bridge over IL Route 161 and Schoenberger Creek. Construction set to be completed in late 2024.

Fairview Heights – Swansea Connector Trail

SCCTD was awarded a $300,000 grant from the Metro East Park and Recreation District towards the construction of the Fairview Heights-Swansea Connector Trail.  The 0.75-mile trail will follow the former trolley rail corridor between Lebanon and the Eads Bridge. The project will begin at the intersection of Union Hill Road and Longacre Drive.  It will proceed westward along the old rail alignment to St. Clair Road.  The trail will be designed as a 10’ wide, paved shared used path – for pedestrians and bicycles – and be fully ADA compliant.

This trail will provide pedestrian connectivity to sidewalks in Fairview Heights, as well as be a key connector between the planned future trail corridors along Sullivan Road/Union Hill Road and Bunkum Road. Construction planned for late 2024 to 2025.

Old Trolley Line Trail

This 0.75 mile trail will follow the trolley rail corridor that ran between Lebanon and the Eads Bridge.  Caseyville Township owns the ground for sewer lines, but will grant an easement through this scenic corridor abundant with wildlife.  This trail will be built between Union Hill Road and St. Clair Road.  A large box culvert tunnel will be provided at Liberty Road to maintain the existing grade-separated crossing.  This trail will provide pedestrian connectivity to sidewalks in Fairview Heights, as well as be a key connector between the planned future trail corridors along Sullivan Road/Union Hill Road and Bunkum Road.  Additionally, there is a planned trail corridor along Longacre/Ashland Avenue that will connect with the St. Ellen Trail at Old Collinsville Road.

Find your community’s map here.

Existing Connections to other Trails

Currently, the MetroBikeLink path connects directly to:

  • Boul Avenue Trailhead Park/Mel Price Park
  • Richland Creek Bikeway
  • West Belleville Bikeway/North End Park
  • Orchard Loop Trail/Fox Valley Subdivision
  • Brookhill Subdivision
  • SWIC Loop Trail
  • YMCA Loop Trail
  • Wingate Subdivision
  • Engelmann Farm Connector Trail
  • Air Mobility Trail

Ride. Walk. Bike.

The MetroBikeLink system is a great way to get out and explore Southwestern Illinois through walking or biking with or without a link to transit.

As a reminder, all of these trails are made possible through the St. Clair County Transit District, public funds and partnerships with local stakeholders and organizations, including MetroEast Park and Recreation District, who has assisted with nearly every trail SCCTD has constructed.

MetroBikeLink is the ped/bike link to our transit system and a key component to an integrated, multi-modal transportation system is southwestern Illinois.

Get out explore with your bike and transit.