St. Clair County Transit District Wins Maximum Grant Award of $200,000 for Old Collinsville Road Trail

The St. Clair County Transit District was recently awarded a $200,000 grant for the Old Collinsville Road Trail.  Governor J.B. Pritzker announced $2.6 million in grants this week for 16 local projects that will help communities acquire, develop and improve bike path facilities throughout Illinois.

“Bike path projects are excellent investments in safe transportation, creating jobs, boosting local economic development efforts, and improving local and regional recreation opportunities,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker. “Trails are great places for bike riders, hikers, joggers and families to enjoy spending time outdoors in our beautiful state.”

Funds for the Bicycle Path Grant Program, administered by Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), are for the acquisition of land or development of facilities for bicycle paths. The Bicycle Path Grant Program was approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 1989 and funding comes from a percentage of motor vehicle title fees. The program provides a maximum grant award of $200,000 per application for development projects, with no maximum grant award for acquisition projects.  SCCTD received the grant for Phase II of the Old Collinsville Road Trail to construct one mile of trail along Old Collinsville Road. This will connect to the Phase 1, from Lebanon Avenue to Rand Lane.

“SCCTD is honored to be awarded this grant to continue to expand our trail system for Southwestern Illinois,” said St Clair County Transit District Board Chair Herb Simmons.  “The MetroBikeLink trail system is a great way to connect people with the places they want and need to get to, expands multi-modal options and highlights our community’s beauty and uniqueness by making new areas more accessible.”

For this round of grants, a total of 17 applications were received, representing a combined request of $2.7 million. Combined with previous years’ funding, IDNR has awarded grants that have helped develop nearly 1,000 miles of local government bicycle trails in Illinois since 1990.

For more information on other grants, visit: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Pages/Governor-Pritzker-Announces-$2.6-Million-in-Grantsfor-Illinois-Bike-Path-Projects–.aspx