Route 66 bike path to be expanded

Posted on October 19, 2016
Bike Route
A new section of the Route 66 bike path is expected near Shirley and Funks Grove. (Photo courtesy Flickr/MichaelCornelius)

By Terry James

SHIRLEY – A grant from the state will help expand the Historic Route 66 Bikeway.

County Board Member Jim Soeldner told WJBC’s Terry James $160,000 is being awarded for the path in southern McLean County.

“I think if you can complete that trail you’ll have people going up and down that path not just on bikes, but riding and whatever,” said Soeldner. “It’s a case where I think here’s an opportunity for some small towns to get some more revenue from tourists.”

The section of path Soeldner is speaking of runs one mile south of Shirley to Funk’s Grove.

The money will be used for engineering costs. Money is still needed to build the actual bikeway.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

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