The Illinois Department of Transportation has awarded the City of Bloomington $800,000 toward an expansion of Constitution Trail from Lafayette Street to Hamilton Road.
The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program [ITEP] received 213 applicants for $139.2 million in funding for the current cycle. The City of Bloomington was one of 67 winners, according to the IDOT website.
The city estimates the total cost of the project at $1.2 million. The remaining funding will come from the city's capital improvement fund in a future year budget, according to a city spokesperson.
"The proposed multi-use path will connect existing infrastructure to improve access to employers, businesses, recreation, and other resources for lower income areas on the city’s southeast side," city officials said in a statement.
The project’s goal is to connect the preexisting trail along Bunn Street, beginning near Hamilton Road, to the trail that concludes near the end of Lafayette Street. The 10-foot wide path will allow cyclists and pedestrians to travel safely when crossing an I-55 Business [Veterans Parkway] pedestrian barrier, city officials said.
The trail will run underneath the highway along an existing railway underpass.
Lighting and security camera installation will be included in the project to provide a safe route and reduce the likelihood of criminal activity, according to city officials, who added the trail extension was designed to increase social equity for non-drivers who opt for a cost-efficient way of traveling.
The project’s target completion date is 2027.
