The Blog Page

News, commentary and humor about bicycling and other topics of the day

 

Get behind the ITS Trail

A group of Macoupin County, Ill., residents are garnering support to build the ITS (Illinois Traction System) Trail from Staunton to Benld.

If the group is successful, the trail will link into an existing trail between Benld and Gillespie and a trail under development between Edwardsville and Staunton. The long-term goal is to construct a bicycle trail linking St. Louis and Springfield, Illinois' state capital.

The group is spearheaded by Russell Massinelli, the former regional superintendent of schools for Macoupin, Calhoun, Jersey and Greene counties and an avid bicyclist. The group is trying to gain support from communities for the project.

Like Madison County, which has developed more than 75 miles of bicycle trails, Macoupin County has abandoned railroad rights-of-way left from the days when there were lots of railroads linking St. Louis and cities like Springfield, Chicago and Decatur. Unlike Madison County, Macoupin County does not have a transit district and will need the support of local governments and the public to raise the matching money to get state or federal grants for the project.

I've known Russ for more than 30 years, and I wish his group success in getting the trail constructed. If you're interest in the project, I encourage you to visit the ITS Trail Committee's site and consider becoming a member.

Roger 0 comments 3:51 PM