Ride Illinois Honors IDOT District 7 for Bicyclist/Pedestrian Interstate Overpass

(FROM LEFT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ED BARSOTTI OF BIKE ILLINOIS, FRANK BRUMMER WHO SERVES AS BOARD PRESIDENT FOR BOTH BIKE ILLINOIS AND TRAIL RECREATION EFFINGHAM COUNTY, SHERRY PHILLIPS AND ROB MACKLIN OF IDOT DISTRICT 7, AND RIDE ILLINOIS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DICK WESTPHAL)

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) District 7 has been honored with the Ride Illinois Project Award for the bicyclist and pedestrian bridge constructed over Interstate 57/70 in Effingham last fall. The award was presented at the 4th Annual Illinois Bike Summit in Champaign.

IDOT District 7 constructed the bridge that crosses over six lanes of interstate traffic, connects to the current trail system near Outer Belt West, and provides access onto West Fayette Avenue. The project cost approximately $1.8 million and included the 16-feet-wide, 264-feet-long bridge as well as a halfmile of trail leading up to it.

“Before the bridge was constructed, Interstate 57/70 basically divided the county of Effingham,” said Frank Brummer, board president for both Ride Illinois and Trail Recreation Effingham County. The bicyclist/pedestrian bridge was constructed away from the interstate intersection and on/off ramps to create a safe path for users.

“For the first time, our residents can safely cross the interstate and bike on both sides of the county. The positive impact of the bridge is very evident,” Brummer said.

“The interstate served as a barrier to the trail. Many local residents would have to drive to the trail and then ride,” said Ride Illinois Executive Director Ed Barsotti. “IDOT saw that a bridge over the interstate would be a great way to connect the trail to the community.”

Input from Trail Recreation Effingham County (TREC) was one of the reasons that the bridge was constructed as a separate structure from the bridge that carries vehicles over the interstate according to Mike Fox, supervising field engineer with IDOT. “The location is a little more wooded and nicer to ride through. We know people are using it and it is definitely an attractive structure for our town,” said Fox.

“I am incredibly proud of the progressive thinking and the cooperation that comes out of IDOT District 7. Their success on this project is a great example of what happens when agencies and the community work together. I hope other towns throughout the state can be inspired to do the same,” said Brummer.

Co-hosted by Ride Illinois and Champaign County Bikes, the Fourth Annual Illinois Bike Summit took place on October 28 at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, and featured over 30 speakers and 15 different sessions. Topics ranged from local bike planning basics and winning a grant for trails and bikeways to community bicycle workshops and advocacy leadership development. Nearly 300 people attended the summit including bicycle advocates, municipal planners and engineers, elected government officials and staff, and others from all over the state.

Ride Illinois, formerly known as the League of Illinois Bicyclists, also revealed their new name and website www.rideillinois.org at the event. Since 1992, the nonprofit organization has been dedicated to one mission – to improve bicycling conditions around the state. Over the years, the organization has evolved from a state chapter of the League of American Bicyclists to an independent organization with more than 2,200 members statewide.

“We are committed to expanding our membership and influence even farther,” said Brummer. “Our organization made a bold decision to seek out a new name that reflects the growing popularity of bicycling. We wanted a simpler and more modern name that would appeal to a wide audience and align them with our mission. A name that would inspire everyone to get on a bike and Ride Illinois.”

Brummer said Ride Illinois’ mission remains the same -- to work for bike friendly roads and trails, favorable policies and legislation, and education on sharing roads safely throughout the state. More information about Ride Illinois’ work is available at their website www.rideillinois.org