The City of Galesburg was awarded $655,560 through the 2023 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Grants to construct a pedestrian and bike path along U.S. Highway 150, which will connect with the walking/biking path around Lake Storey. The grant will cover 90% of the project cost and the city pays the remaining 10% of the cost. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the City of Galesburg to complete the walking and biking path around Lake Storey and expand alternative transportation options,” said City Manager Gerald Smith. “We are very thankful to have been selected and look forward to seeing the completion of this project.”
IDOT received 213 ITEP applications totaling $337 million for this round of funding, with 72 projects selected, totaling $127.9 million. The ITEP grant focuses on expanding alternative travel options, such as walking and biking paths, as well as enhancing the quality of life in Illinois communities.
This is not the first time the City of Galesburg has been selected as the recipient of an ITEP Grant. In 2021, Galesburg was awarded $2 million to create a multi-use path along South Lake Storey Road. It is planned to begin constructing that section of the new path later this year.
There is an existing path on the north side of Lake Storey. The 2021 ITEP grant allowed for the extension of that walking and biking path to wrap around to the south side of Lake Storey, as illustrated in the attached map. This most recent award allows for the construction of the walking and biking path on City property west of US 150, to complete the entire loop around Lake Storey.
Construction of the multi-use path will enhance the local quality of life, providing a walking and biking trail around scenic Lake Storey. When this final portion of the project is completed, the path will provide a continuous recreational walking and biking path loop of 4.4 miles. It will also allow for safe, accessible alternative pathways for citizens to walk or bike to destinations in that area, including Lake Storey Park, Carl Sandburg Community College, Allison Campground, Lakeside Water Park & Recreation Facility, and Lake Storey Pavilion.
“There are many positive things happening in our community,” said Mayor Peter Schwartzman. “The City is thrilled to have been selected for this ITEP Grant to expand our walking and biking trail. On the same day of this grant announcement, the state also announced recipients of the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grants, which included an award of $478,414 to the National Railroad Hall of Fame for construction of the National Railroad Hall of Fame in Galesburg. We are proud and excited to see the many great projects underway in our community.”
More information on ITEP and the grant recipients selected for 2023 can be found on the State of Illinois website.
