BELVIDERE -- State Senator Steve Stadelman today praised the announcement of $2.7 million in state funding to replace five aging bridges that support the Long Prairie Trail as a "smart investment in something that's an important recreational asset but also an alternative transportation option in northern Illinois."

Long Prairie Trail is a rail-to-trail conversion, stretching 14.2 miles across 16 bridges, most of which are remnants of the old K&D Rail line and are in dire need of replacement. Five bridges that have outlived their useful lifespan, especially from a safety perspective, will be reconstructed for an estimated cost of $3 million. 

"Illinois is reversing decades of disinvestment, making communities more connected and providing more ways for people to travel from place to place," Stadelman said. "Long Prairie Trail connects several regional destinations and links to Stone Bridge Trail in Winnebago County, providing access to even more outdoor attractions -- Rock Cut State Park being prominent among them."

A total of $139.2 million in Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grants are going to 66 projects statewide from 233 applications for $383 million in financial assistance. ITEP awards focus on projects that improve bicycle and pedestrian travel or otherwise enhance local transportation networks. The next call for ITEP-eligible projects is expected in 2026.

"Projects like Long Prairie Trail are the quality-of-life amenities people want when deciding where to buy homes and raise families," Stadelman said. "Whether people frequent Long Prairie Trail for exercise, leisure or as an alternative to driving a motor vehicle, it's a valuable asset that deserves to be maintained and deserves the state's support."

ITEP is part of Rebuild Illinois, legislation Stadelman supported in 2019 that commits a record $33.2 billion toward upgrades to the Illinois transportation system -- including $275 million to restore passenger rail between Rockford and Chicago with a stop in downtown Belvidere.