By DAVE HINTON
Rantoul Press editor

A 1.9-mile bike/walk path in Rantoul may be ready for use this summer.

Greg Hazel, Department of Public Works director, said plans for the path on the former Fisher Farmers rail line are being developed by Berns & McDonnell engineers of Chicago and Downers Grove, to be submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A recent public hearing on the proposal drew about a dozen people, and Hazel said there were no negative comments.

“People came in asking questions (such as) how the path would run through the community. Some looked at their property, and others were just interested in the project as a whole,” Hazel said.

He said some neighbors of the bike/walking path asked how the path would affect their trees and shrubs along the route.

The 10-foot-wide asphalt path will extend from U.S. 45 east to Lon Drive extended to the west side of Taylor Studios in the former Wal-Mart building. It will then turn south to connect with U.S. 136.

The village already has between 5 and 6 miles of dedicated bike paths and additional street routes that make up the community bike route system.
Hazel said the village accepted ownership of the former railroad right of way with the idea that it would be turned into a bike/walking path that spans much of the community.

The railroad rails and ties were removed prior to the property transfer to the village.

Fisher Farmers Grain and Coal Co. of Dewey owned the rail line and turned it over to the village in May 2009 when the company went through a merger and consolidated facilities.

The company shifted owner rights of the 5 miles of railway that run east out of town, past Dillsburg, back to the farmers who live in that area.

The village was awarded a $750,000 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant to fund the bike/walking path project. The village will be required to provide a 20 percent match to receive the grant money.

Hazel said a bid letting for the project is expected in June.

“We’re anticipating construction this summer,” he said.

“We may have some restoration late in the year or the first part of next year, but the path should be available for use in the summer.”

He said the existing right of way has a good base from being used as a railroad, “and we’re going to create some contours, not just a straight-line bike path. (There will be) some undulation and elevation change to it.”

Lighting and additional tree planting, landscaping and benches will be added along the route.

“We were very fortunate we were able to secure a grant so quickly after receiving the property,” Hazel said.

The Rantoul grant was part of an $80 million federal grant package.

dhinton@rantoulpress.com