CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission wants to connect Urbana parks, homes, Carle Foundation Hospital and the University of Illinois together.
On July 16, $100,000 in federal funding was approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation to study a proposed extension of the Kickapoo Rail Trail.
"It will go to the regional planning committee commission to study the feasibility of expanding the rail trail from the eastern terminal now through Urbana to Lincoln Avenue and locally Carle Hospital will be providing the local match of $25,000," said Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin. "The local study will cost $125,000."
Although there is a study that needs to be determined, members are excited to bring a potential expansion of trail tracks to all of Urbana-Champaign.
"AÂ lot of people want to see a continuation of the off-street trail, where they don't have to interact with cars, trucks and things like that," said Regional Planning Commission Transportation Planner Gabriel Lewis.
As of now, the trail only reaches part of Walmart in east Urbana and extends to the west side of Lincoln Avenue. They say with this, they can hope to provide people with better access to parks, programs, school, the mall, and other amenities.
For further information on their plans and efforts with their final report visit https://ccrpc.org.
