St. Clair County – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) recently announced a $200,000 grant to construct a 1-mile bike path that will provide accessibility for St. Clair County bikers.

“This bike path will not only provide great recreational opportunities for residents, but it will also increase the eco-friendly transportation options in our district,” Belt said. “I am glad to see the state investing in the Metro East area.”

The bike path will run along Old Collinsville Road and connect to the bike trail from Lebanon Avenue to Rand Lane.

“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 JB 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 are administered by Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These grants are intended 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.

Additional trails in the 57th Senate District that received the Bicycle Path Grant Program include a $200,000 grant for the Village of Shiloh to construct a 1.25-mile trail beginning at MetroBikeLink and ending at the Shiloh-Scott Air Force Base.

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.