Madison County - Illinois 100 Bike Trail Improvements

IDOT is performing a preliminary engineering study for potential improvements to the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail (Illinois 100 Bike Trail), which is adjacent to Illinois 100 from Lockhaven east to the city of Alton. The project length is approximately 6 miles of bike trail facilities.

The existing trail runs parallel to Illinois 100 and in most sections is a separated facility, with a buffer of various width between the shoulder of Illinois 100 and the bike trail. Land use adjacent to the project is mostly residential, areas designated as nature preserve (John M. Olin Nature Preserve) or parkland. Parks located along the route include Clifton Terrace Park and Hoffman Gardens.

The consultant team and IDOT staff conducted a field visit during fall 2025 and noted the following concerns.

• Trail narrowing and overgrowth: Mud build-up and overgrowth have reduced the usable width to as little as 5 feet in some two-way traffic areas. Spot checks revealed the actual paved width is 8 to 10 feet.
• Debris and erosion: Excessive mud, rocks and large sticks pose safety hazards.
• Root heaving: Tree roots have made sections from mile 1.67 to 2.0 and mile 2.34 to 2.88 excessively rough, forcing riders to slow down significantly.
• Uneven transitions (bridges and manholes): Manholes and bridge/culvert junctions sit 1 inch or more above or the below the pavement, creating dangerous, hard-hitting lips for riders. 
• Culvert failures: Multiple culverts show pavement failure above them. 

The project will evaluate bike trail safety and if there are needs for additional countermeasures to ensure bicycle and pedestrian safety. Additionally, the project included an inventory of if the bike trail met current trail requirements (trail width and offset from roadway) as set by IDOT.

The study area includes mostly agricultural/nature areas with some residential areas near the study area. 

Phases I, II and III are currently funded and included in the department's FY2026-2031 Proposed Highway Improvement Program. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation develops and implements highway transportation improvement projects using a three-phase process:
Phase I: (2025-2030) Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies 
During this phase, IDOT studies a range of alternatives, including a “no build” option, to improve the Sam Vadalabene (Illinois 100) Bike Trail in the study area that addresses the purpose and need of the project. IDOT also conducts environmental analysis to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. The project team will collect information, determine the needs of the roadway, analyze the alternatives, and identify potential effects to study area resources. Learn more about NEPA. 
Phase II: Design (18-36 months) In this phase, IDOT refines the project design to develop contract plans. Any additional right of way that might be needed for the project is acquired during this phase. 
Phase III: Construction (TBD) The final phase consists of the actual construction of the project.

The Illinois 100 Bike Trail study is currently in Phase I. During this phase, preliminary engineering and environmental studies are completed to develop a roadway improvement plan that addresses an established purpose and need for the project. A project report will be developed, and land acquisition, if necessary, will begin at the end of this Phase I study.

The Phase I study process involves 4 primary components: data collection, developing the purpose and need of project, developing and evaluating alternatives, and determine a preferred alternative.

Context Sensitive Solutions

A key planning tool for this study will be a stakeholder involvement program based upon the principles of Context Sensitive Solutions. CSS is an interdisciplinary approach that seeks effective, multimodal transportation solutions to develop, build and maintain cost-effective transportation facilities that fit into and reflect the project’s surroundings (its “context”).

Through a flexible, creative approach to design, the resulting project should improve safety and mobility for the traveling public while seeking to preserve and enhance the scenic, economic, historic and natural qualities of the settings through which they pass. CSS stakeholder activities will include public meetings. All input will be evaluated by the project study group and used to help shape viable solutions.

The CSS project approach enhances public participation in the transportation planning process. CSS will be utilized for the public involvement for this project.

The Illinois100 Bike Trail from Lockhaven to City of Alton Preliminary Engineering Study (Phase I) Project Report will be prepared following the requirements of the National Environment Policy Act of 1969. NEPA established a national environmental policy intentionally focused on federal activities and the desire for a sustainable environment balanced with other essential needs of present and future generations. The NEPA process is intended to help public officials make decisions that are based on understanding of environmental consequences and take actions that protect, restore and enhance the environment.

NEPA requires that any federally funded proposed or future action (such as construction of a roadway) be carefully analyzed for all impacts to natural and cultural resources and to the human environment. This analysis must be documented and made available for public review and comment near the end of the study.

Because transportation projects vary in type, size, complexity, and potential effects to the environment, NEPA encompasses three levels of documentation:

• Environmental Impact Statement – for projects where it is known that the action will have a significant effect on the environment.
• Environmental Assessment – for projects in which the significance of the environmental impact is not clearly established.
• Federally Approved Categorical Exclusions – for actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the environment.

In coordination with the Federal Highway Administration Illinois Division, the Illinois 100 Bike Trail Preliminary Engineering Study will be processed as a State Approved Categorical Exclusion.

The study includes multiple opportunities for you to participate by submitting comments, attending the public meeting and keeping informed through this website and newsletters. We will update this website as the Illinois 100 Bike Trail Phase I study progresses to help you stay informed.

Your participation and input are vital to the success of the study. We value your input and look forward to your participation. To get involved:

• Join our mailing list – Select Contact Us below to request to be joined to the mailing list.
• Submit comments – Select Contact Us below to request to submit comments on the project.
• Stay up to date on the study development by viewing documents under Resources.
• Attend a public meeting.

We are engaging the community in the following ways:

• Public meetings
• Website updates
• Briefings and presentations

We are interested in hearing your ideas and opinions! Please let us know what you think about the Illinois 100 Bike Trail Phase I Study. Join our project mailing list to stay up to date on important project information.

Please use the email address below to submit a comment or question and/or to join the mailing list.

If you prefer, you may contact us by U.S. mail, email or telephone:

Illinois Department of Transportation, District 8
Attn: Tiffany Brase, project manager
1102 Eastport Plaza Drive
Collinsville, IL 62234

Email: Tiffany.T.Brase@illinois.gov         

Phone: (618) 346-3454

Documents

IDOT is currently at the early stages of Phase I for this project. This site will be updated periodically as the project progresses. We thank you for your support and patience.