Bridge connecting Taylorville & Pana now open

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WAND) – Completion of a new bridge will allow the Lincoln Prairie Trail to connect Pana and Taylorville.

IDOT committed $1.1 million for the project which replaced an old bridge which was closed in 2015 due to serious deterioration. The new bridge is a 200-foot-single-span steel structure designed for nonmotorized traffic, with 72-foot timber decking and railing on each end.

The Lincoln Prairie Trail runs along Illinois 29. It is 15 miles long and is one of the longest paved trails in the state south of Chicago. The trail originally opened in 2001 along the old Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) railroad line.

A ribbon cutting commemorating the opening of the bridge was Tuesday morning, although people have been using it for several weeks.

Additional upgrades include enhanced signage, water stations, bike racks and repair stations.