Madison County Transit (MCT) and the Metro East Park & Recreation District (MEPRD) opened the 7-mile Troy-O’Fallon extension of the MCT Goshen Trail, with a ceremony this past Saturday. The highly anticipated $10 million asphalt trail extends the 12.4-mile MCT Goshen Trail an additional 7 miles from a frontage road just south of I-55/70 in Troy to Kyle Road in O’Fallon. Keller Co. of Glen Carbon was the contractor. The new 10-foot wide trail segment connects residents in O’Fallon and Troy to the extensive MCT Trails system – a 137-mile network of inter-connected Class I bikeways owned and maintained by MCT. The Troy-O’Fallon trail extension was the result of an inter-governmental agreement between MCT and MEPRD, with MCT acquiring the property and constructing the trail, and MEPRD securing the funds for construction and maintenance. Funding was also provided by: Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grants, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) grant, a grant from the St. Clair County Transit District, and funding from the City of O’Fallon. The project which includes three large pre-engineered bridges: a 225-foot span over Lockmann Road and the CSX railroad tracks; a 185-foot span over Bethel Road; and a 100-foot span over Ogles Creek. A 38-car park and bike lot at Kyle Road in O’Fallon was also constructed.
“This project is an example of inter-governmental cooperation at its best,” said MCT Managing Director Jerry Kane. “The Troy-O’Fallon Trail would not have been possible without federal funds, state funds, local funds, and the cooperation of two counties, Madison and St. Clair; two transit districts, Madison County Transit and St. Clair County Transit; two municipalities, Troy and O’Fallon; and one very committed park district, MEPRD.”
“Our mission is to build and support an inter-connected network of parks and trails throughout the Metro East,” said Bryan Werner, Executive Director of MEPRD. “This project has been years in the making and I’m pleased that it will soon be open for the enjoyment of our residents.”