IDOT, local officials, community partners celebrate start of construction on next phase of Route 66 Trail 

McLEAN – The Illinois Department of Transportation was joined by McLean County, the village of McLean, neighboring communities and state and local officials to celebrate the latest extension of the Route 66 Trail. Made possible by a $3.2 million grant through IDOT’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, the project will extend the trail 4.5 miles from McLean to Funks Grove, enhancing a popular travel and recreation option in central Illinois while drawing tourists, creating economic opportunity and improving connections for communities along the old Route 66.

“Almost a century after it opened, Route 66 still is connecting people and places,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Projects like these don’t happen overnight. They require strong regional vision and coordination. We are proud to support the hard work and look forward to even more Route 66 Trail improvements in the years ahead.” 

Overseen by McLean County, the project will build a 10-foot-wide, paved trail adjacent to Route 66, with two new trailheads and solar-powered flashing crosswalk beacons. The extension broke ground earlier this summer, with construction anticipated to wrap up in December. The total investment with local contributions is $4 million. ​ 

“McLean County has prospered from infrastructure investments throughout our history,” McLean County Board Chairwoman Elizabeth Johnston. “The partnerships with IDOT, Friends of the Constitution Trail and local communities have made projects extending the trail possible. As a result, we have greater community connections and safer routes to explore McLean County.” 

The Route 66 Trail is an on- and off-road network between Chicago and St. Louis. When complete, the new extension will close a gap by connecting McLean to Bloomington. It also will provide a new link to Bloomington-Normal’s Constitution Trail, which connects neighborhoods and important destinations along almost 50 miles of old Illinois Central Gulf Railroad right of way. 

“Visitors from all over America travel to experience Route 66’s history and charm, not just by car but now by bike as well,” said state Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason). “I’m happy to see IDOT and McLean County investing in safe and accessible infrastructure that will help cyclists explore all the unique sights and communities our region has to offer.” 

Thanks to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, ITEP is helping reshape local infrastructure up and down the state by providing communities resources for new trails, sidewalks, streetscape beautification and other projects. Gov. Pritzker and Secretary Biagi in May announced an all-time high of $139.2 million in the latest round of awards. ​ 

Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is the largest capital program in state history and the first that’s truly multimodal, touching highways, airports, transit systems, waterways, freight and passenger rail as well as pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. 

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