It costs about $98,157.89 to build/renovate one mile of bicycle path in Illinois. (There’s a total of 26.98 miles of trail to be built/renovated for a total cost of $2,648,300).
Wow. $98,000 bucks per mile. Imagine lining up a row of dollar bills for one mile. Now do that nine times. And you still have $5,061.89 left over in your pocket from the $98,000 in one mile.
- Frankfort Township (Will County), $200,000, to construct 2.1 miles
- Lake County Forest Preserve District, $200,000, to construct a 1.25 mile trail.
- Lincolnwood, Village of (Cook County) $158,000, to renovate one mile of trail
- Orland Park, Village of (Cook County), $197,000, to develop 1.9 miles
- Rock Island, City of (Rock Island County), $134,500, to construct .33 miles
- Romeoville, Village of (Will County), $182,200, to construct 2.2 miles
- Will County Forest Preserve District, $200,000, to construct a one mile
- Champaign Park District (Champaign County), $200,000, to construct .90 mile
- Granite City, City of (Madison County), $200,000, to construct 2.0 mile
- Madison County Transit District, $200,000, to construct 3.5 miles
- Madison County Transit District, $200,000, to construct 1.3 mile
- Metro East Park and Recreation District (Madison and St. Clair Counties),$576,600 for 9.5 miles
But it’s all definitely worth it.
Sources:
—upstate illinois bike trail grants
—downstate illinois bike trail grants
In case you’re wondering, it’s $130,030.67 per mile for upstate Illinois and $80,034.88 per mile for downstate Illinois.
I’m a big fan of the Great Western Trail in DuPage County. A stretch of it (in Villa Park and Lombard) runs parallel to the Prairie Path. They’re only a couple blocks away from each other. I am spoiled. I get my pick of paths to run on. Though I always end up on the Great Western Trail cuz there’s far less people on it. It’s my little secret. I’d go running today, but the stupid boiler man hasn’t come to my house yet!
i used to ride my bike on the great western trail, it is very empty and pretty too. my trail of choice is the poplar creek forest preserve trail. its less than 1 mile from my work so i can ride during lunch. IT is my little secret. DO NOT tell ANYONE.