BLOOMINGTON, Ill.- The Bloomington City Council was presented with a plan to extend the Constitution Trail last night. The Council was asked to vote on an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant that would fund the construction for the project.
The extension of the trail would go from Lafayette Street to Hamilton Road. It would give more neighborhoods, such as the Hilltop Mobile Homes, better access to commercial areas.
“There are no pedestrian or bicycle facilities in that region,” said City Engineer Craig Shonkwiler. “Veterans Parkway certainly serves as a barrier for folks to head south or north through that area.”
This extension would also complete two high priority projects from the Bicycle Master Plan including a bike path that is separate from the road on Bunn Street, and a paved sidewalk on Hamilton Road.
Council Member Jamie Mathy said he frequents Bunn Street.
“I go down Bunn all the time to get to Bloomington Meats down there, and there already are a significant number of bikers down there that use Bunn to get out to the countryside south of town,” said Mathy. “It’s one of the few routes to get outside of the Veterans Parkway loop.”
The council members all appeared pleased with the plan as they voted unanimously to approve the ITEP grant for the project.