Latest news with #IllinoisTransportationEnhancementProgram
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Frankfort receives $1.6 million grant to expand bike and pedestrian trail system
After failing to receive the same grant several years ago, the village of Frankfort received $1.6 million in state funding to expand a trail system for bikers and pedestrians and improve safety, the village announced May 21. Mayor Keith Ogle said connecting the path that ends at Pfeiffer Road and Sauk Avenue to another path that ends at Laraway Road and 80th Avenue was a priority when he entered office in 2021. 'I think when (the trail) was put in, some of the housing developments that were south of Laraway Road, in that area, were not completed,' Ogle said. 'So now it's been very apparent, and when I became mayor that was one of the first things — like we've got to get this done.' Ogle said the original trail system was installed more than 20 years ago, and connecting the trails will allow bikers and pedestrian to travel throughout east Frankfort more safely. 'For the residents that live south of Laraway, their only point of access would have been to come up 80th Avenue crossing Laraway,' Ogle said. 'There is a signal there, it's by Chelsea School. But for some of the other ones, this was really a missing link.' The village applied for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program in 2022, but was unsuccessful. Ogle said they applied again last year but budgeted for the $2.2 million project to ensure construction was set for next spring. The 10-feet-wide, 1.5 mile long trail is expected to open to pedestrians and bicyclists next summer, Ogle said. Ogle said he was thrilled to learn the village received $1.6 million from the department of transportation and will use remaining money budgeted for other infrastructure improvements, including adding a spur to connect some of the subdivisions near Laraway Road and 80th Avenue. 'We're going to have a look at the overall master plan, and then start planning and budgeting for it too,' Ogle said. 'Our bike path goes through the historic downtown. It's beautiful — it's really a scenic path. And we take a lot of pride in how we maintain it. It's a very popular area for visitors to come through, and it connects a lot of other communities in Frankfort.' Jodi Haefner, 52, who lives on Laraway and 80th, said as a distance runner who drives to the trail five days a week, she will directly benefit from the new connection. 'Going out there and having to do a long run, it definitely would save me the hassle of having to drive my car to the trail,' Haefner said. 'At least I could start at my house, get the extra mileage.' Haefner said she also believes the trail connection will improve safety for others in the area who opt to bike or run to the trail rather than drive. 'It would make life a lot easier than having to dodge in and out of cars,' Haefner said. 'That road is hilly and when there are bikers or runners on the road, it gets a little dangerous.' ostevens@
Chicago Tribune
29-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Frankfort receives $1.6 million grant to expand bike and pedestrian trail system
After failing to receive the same grant several years ago, the village of Frankfort received $1.6 million in state funding to expand a trail system for bikers and pedestrians and improve safety, the village announced May 21. Mayor Keith Ogle said connecting the path that ends at Pfeiffer Road and Sauk Avenue to another path that ends at Laraway Road and 80th Avenue was a priority when he entered office in 2021. 'I think when (the trail) was put in, some of the housing developments that were south of Laraway Road, in that area, were not completed,' Ogle said. 'So now it's been very apparent, and when I became mayor that was one of the first things — like we've got to get this done.' Ogle said the original trail system was installed more than 20 years ago, and connecting the trails will allow bikers and pedestrian to travel throughout east Frankfort more safely. 'For the residents that live south of Laraway, their only point of access would have been to come up 80th Avenue crossing Laraway,' Ogle said. 'There is a signal there, it's by Chelsea School. But for some of the other ones, this was really a missing link.' The village applied for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program in 2022, but was unsuccessful. Ogle said they applied again last year but budgeted for the $2.2 million project to ensure construction was set for next spring. The 10-feet-wide, 1.5 mile long trail is expected to open to pedestrians and bicyclists next summer, Ogle said. Ogle said he was thrilled to learn the village received $1.6 million from the department of transportation and will use remaining money budgeted for other infrastructure improvements, including adding a spur to connect some of the subdivisions near Laraway Road and 80th Avenue. 'We're going to have a look at the overall master plan, and then start planning and budgeting for it too,' Ogle said. 'Our bike path goes through the historic downtown. It's beautiful — it's really a scenic path. And we take a lot of pride in how we maintain it. It's a very popular area for visitors to come through, and it connects a lot of other communities in Frankfort.' Jodi Haefner, 52, who lives on Laraway and 80th, said as a distance runner who drives to the trail five days a week, she will directly benefit from the new connection. 'Going out there and having to do a long run, it definitely would save me the hassle of having to drive my car to the trail,' Haefner said. 'At least I could start at my house, get the extra mileage.' Haefner said she also believes the trail connection will improve safety for others in the area who opt to bike or run to the trail rather than drive. 'It would make life a lot easier than having to dodge in and out of cars,' Haefner said. 'That road is hilly and when there are bikers or runners on the road, it gets a little dangerous.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Altamont city council discusses current and future projects
ALTAMONT – Illinois will remove its 1% grocery tax in January 2026. Municipalities will have the authority to replace that tax, which is what the Altamont City council recently discussed and plans to do. Instead of the tax money going to the state, it will be going back into the city's general fund. 'It'll just shift,' said City Clerk Sarah Stephen. 'Instead of being dispersed between several different entities, it will all come to the city now.' The council also approved a $12,700 payment to Courts and Cracks to repaint Nori's Yard Multi-Use Court which will also include a new basketball goal similar to the ones in Gilbert Park. 'It looks very nice,' said Mayor Mike Walker. 'I look forward to everyone using that this summer.' 'I just want to thank … the community team members that raised the money to do this,' said City Commissioner Tayler Polk. 'Looks excellent. There's kids there all the time. Mine, as well.' In other news: Milano & Grunloh Owner and Project Manager Lee Beckman updated the council on some projects in progress around town. When the new sidewalks are installed along Main Street, they will be 1.5 times bigger than the previous ones and ADA compliant. Beckman is also planning an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program project to upgrade lighting, boulevards and sidewalks along both sides of Main Street from the railroad tracks to Route 40. Effingham County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care Coordinator Samantha Hicks informed the council of how ROSC works with individuals and families that suffer from substance use disorder and mental health disorders. 'One of our main focuses for this fiscal year is to reach the smaller villages outside of Effingham City because that city has a good abundance of resources,' said Hicks. 'But the villages outside of Effingham City face different barriers as far as long-term recovery, sobriety and mental health issues.' Hicks wants to support the people that need those types of services and connect them with support. The council also approved the sale of 107 North Main Street which was a continuation of the tabled item from August when the council wasn't full. The city sold the vacant property to RDM Designs Custom Cabinetry & Flooring so they can expand the business to the north. The next Altamont City Council meeting is scheduled for June 9 at 6 p.m. at the municipal building.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Lincoln Prairie Trail bridge reconnects Taylorville, Pana
TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A project to reconnect Taylorville and Pana has been completed thanks to funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation. On Tuesday, IDOT, Taylorville and Pana announced the completion of a new Lincoln Prairie Trail bridge over Flat Branch, a branch of the Sangamon River's South Fork. The new bridge closes a large gap in the trail and marks the first time in 10 years that people can go from end to end with interruption. Lake Decatur traffic switching to new roadway and bridges 'We are proud to have played a role in helping these two cities arrive at a solution to restore a rails-to-trails project that enjoys widespread community support,' Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said. 'The Lincoln Prairie Trail is once again a viable transportation option for people traveling between Taylorville and Pana, while promoting quality of life in central Illinois and setting the stage for even more improvements.' At 15 miles, the Lincoln Prairie Trail is one of the longest paved trails in Illinois south of Chicago. The trail opened in 2001 along the old Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and connects Pana and Taylorville along Illinois 29. Pana was awarded $1.1 million in 2023 for the removal and replacement of the previous bridge over Flat Branch through an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant administered by IDOT. The old bridge was an original structure that once carried trains but was forced to close in 2015 due to its poor condition. This new bridge is a 200-foot single-span steel structure designed for nonmotorized traffic, with 72-foot timber decking and railing on each end. Mattoon Police Dept. issues 105 distracted driving citations during April enforcement 'I would personally like to thank IDOT for their commitment to the residents of Pana and Taylorville for providing the needed funding for this project,' Pana Mayor Nathan Pastor said. 'Without IDOT funding 90% of this project, we could not have moved forward with the construction of a new bridge.' More improvements to the trail were provided through the Lincoln Prairie Trail Conservancy, a volunteer group dedicated to improving and expanding the trail to eventually connect to Springfield. These upgrades include two new trailhead facilities, improved signage, water stations, bike racks, repair stations and a native plant garden. Governor JB Pritzker announced the latest round of funding through ITEP last week, a record $139.2 million to communities across Illinois to support bike and pedestrian paths and trails, 'streetscape beautification' and other projects designed to emphasize safe travel across numerous modes of local transportation. Additional IDOT District 6 updates can be found on their Twitter page, and to view area construction details, visit IDOT's traveler information map. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois awards funding for Constitution Trail extension
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The state of Illinois announced on Wednesday that it awarded funding for a trail extension project in Bloomington. Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation awarded $799,419 for the Constitution Trail Extension Project, according to information from IDOT. The project will expand the Constitution Trail from Lafayette Street to Hamilton Road with a 10-foot-wide asphalt multi-use path. Groundbreaking for Constitution Trail expansion at Heartland College The money for the project is part of $139.2 million that was awarded through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, which is meant to expand local travel options and enhance quality of life in communities across the state. 'The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program is a crucial part of Rebuild Illinois, helping make travel safer and more accessible in the communities that need it most,' Pritzker said. 'Today, I'm proud to announce the largest investment in the program's history, with more than $139 million going toward bike lanes, sidewalks, trails and other local improvements. This is just one part of the state's larger effort to reverse decades of disinvestment and create more connected communities.' A total of 66 projects were approved through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
