Fall Will See Real Progress for TREC

Fall will see some real progress in the continuing development of the TREC trail network.

TREC Board members Wednesday heard that work is moving ahead on Phase 3 of the network. Gary Welton of the Planning Committee said work on the switchbacks is done and the trestle bridge is completed. Welton said contractors have begun trail paving and hope to have the work completed by the end of October.

A community ribbon cutting for Phase 3 has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 8 from 4:30-6:30pm at the bridge, named the John and Fran Schultz Trestle Bridge. Plans are to have the public park for the event at Kingwood Estates, and the goal is to attract 125-150 people to the ribbon cutting. There will be volunteers at Kingwood Estates to help with proper parking in an effort to make sure subdivision residents aren't inconvenienced.

Welton also reported that a final inspection is needed before the Interstates 57/70 bike/pedestrian bridge at Fayette Avenue can be turned over by the contractor to the State and then the bridge can be opened.

There was also discussion about striping streets in the city to create proper bikepaths. TREC Board President Frank Brummer said the city has streets suitable for use as bikepaths and a study was completed several years identifying what streets should be part of the network, but no striping has been done. Brummer said, "We have all these great trails, but the City can't get to them."

Brummer was glad to hear reports from City Tourism Director Jody Jackson about a promotional video and the EIU Focus on Effingham film being created and said those focus on Effingham's future. He said, "Focus on the future when it comes to TREC; we want to bring young people back to Effingham. It's good to show they don't have to go to Bloomington, Indiana or Bloomington, Illinois to have good places to walk."

Board member Brad Beesley asked other members to view the organization's website, trectrails.com, to see the updates he has completed and to give input if they see other things needing changed or updated.