Officials celebrate completion of MetroBikeLink trail in St. Clair County
It may take some warmer weather to really enjoy it, but cyclists, walkers and joggers now have the final 2.9-mile section in place for the 11-mile MetroBikeLink Trail that runs throughout St. Clair County.
Users can take advantage the year-round on the trail, which now connects five MetroLink stations, beginning at Memorial Hospital and ending at Shiloh-Scott. St. Clair County Transit District and engineering firm TWM collaborated on the entire trail design. The funding was provided by the transit district and the Metro East Park and Recreation District.
The O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce joined the St. Clair County Transit District just before Christmas to celebrate the opening of the MetroBikeLink connection between the Shiloh Wingate Subdivision (north of Southwestern Illinois College) and Scott Air Force Base.
The final addition features a bike/pedestrian railroad crossing, bridges over Loop Creek and Buss Farm Creek, two wooden boardwalks and a retaining wall. The project also included a new trailhead at the Shiloh-Scott Station, which includes bike racks, benches, a water fountain and parking.
“This project represents another step in St. Clair County’s continuing efforts to improve the quality of life in our community,” said recently retired transit district director Bill Grogan. “Connecting our largest employer to the MetroBikeLink provides opportunities for people working or based there the option to bike to work or simply enjoy it for recreational purposes.”
About St. Clair County Transit District
The SCCTD was created in 1981 under the Illinois Mass Transit District Act. SCCTD executes contracts with other local organizations to provide transportation service for the 15 townships that make up the district. Services include MetroBus, Redbird Express and Alternative Transportation System. Visit scctd.org.
About TWM
TWM is a 100 percent employee-owned firm providing civil, structural and railway engineering, land surveying and a full array of geospatial services. Celebrating 71 years in business, TWM serves clients locally and throughout the U.S. Its corporate office is located in Swansea, with a total of five locations in the greater St. Louis region. For more information, visit twm-inc.com.
