A $200,000 federal grant will help Macomb with its multi-phase plan for a bicycle route through the city.
Mayor Mike Inman said the funding will help with the first phase.
“It’s predominantly pavement markings on already existing bike paths we have. The federal standard is green paint in those bike paths,” Inman said.
The city will also put up signs along the route.
The grant comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program. It’s funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Macomb is one of four Illinois communities to receive funding in this round.
Macomb received a $90,000 planning grant earlier. The city partnered on that grant application with the Macomb Park District and the McDonough County NAACP.
Inman said city leaders will be in Washington D.C. in December to seek more grant funding for other phases of the plan to develop an on-and-off-road bicycle path.
He said developing the path won’t be cheap, and it won’t happen quickly.
“It won’t be tomorrow. It won’t be next year. It won’t be maybe five years from now,” Inman said.
“But it’ll be a consistent ask based on the comprehensive plan we have.”
He said the community has indicated a desire for an improved and safe way for people to get around on bicycles.
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