Edwardsville receiving $940,800 from state ITEP for shared-use trail
EDWARDSVILLE — A stretch of shared-use path along the west side of Illinois 157 in Edwardsville is getting $940,800 in support[1] from the State of Illinois.
In addition, a trail project connecting CA Henning Elementary to Triad High School in Troy is in line for $750,240 under the same program.
In a Friday press release, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that $127.9 million has been awarded to various projects throughout the state.
The funds come through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)[2] to expand travel options and enhance quality of life in communities across the Land of Lincoln.
“The Illinois’ Transportation Enhancement Program is an important part of Rebuild Illinois designed to support alternate modes of transportation, to preserve visual and cultural resources, and improve quality of life,” Pritzker said in the press release. “(This is) the largest ever round of funding for ITEP — over $125 million to build better and safer bike routes, walking paths, trails, and other local travel options.”
The Edwardsville project constructs a bicycle/pedestrian trail on the west side of Illinois 157 from approximately Lewis Road/University Drive to just north of Center Grove Road. The state identified the project as “Route 66 Trail Phase 6.”
In Troy, the state funds will mean a shared-use path from CA Henning Elementary to Triad High School. The state dubs the project “Silver Creek Trail, Phase 4,” and noted it will go along US Route 40 in Jarvis Township from Creekside Drive to Bethany Drive.
That trail will be 10 feet wide and made of asphalt, and it will be ADA compliant. It also will include a running tree canopy, rain garden and safe road crossings.
According to the press release from the state, the 72 projects selected include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification and other projects designed to encourage safe travel across the various modes of transportation at the local level.
An all-time high of nearly $127.9 million was made available in this funding cycle, with more than 75% allocated to projects in communities that best demonstrated a financial need.
“The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program gives our local partners the resources they need to improve quality of life for their communities and strengthen the state’s overall transportation system,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “With Gov. Pritzker’s leadership, we’re putting dollars to work in the communities that need them most, investing in infrastructure and increasing travel options to make Illinois a safer and more enjoyable place to work, build a business and raise a family.”
Click here[3] for a complete list of recipients or visit https://idot.click/itep[4] and click the “Awarded Projects” tab.
Made possible by federal and state funds administered by IDOT, ITEP awards are focused on improving bike and pedestrian travel, as well as making other surface transportation improvements that promote alternative options for getting around communities.
Projects were awarded based on their readiness and ability to connect to transportation networks and other economic drivers, as well as secure public support and provide public benefits. Additional consideration was given to projects serving areas with higher needs, based on population totals, percentage below the poverty level and estimated median household income.
IDOT received 213 applications for projects worth an estimated $337 million for the current cycle. The next call for projects will come in late 2024, with a 2025 award announcement.
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing $33.2 billion into the state’s aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history but also the first one that touches all modes of Illinois transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
References
- ^ support (urldefense.com)
- ^ Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) (idot.click)
- ^ here (urldefense.com)
- ^ https://idot.click/itep (urldefense.com)