In 2020, Metra, Chicago’s commuter transit system, introduced its very first Bike Car. By the end of 2023, Metra carried an all-time record.

Creating Connections and Conserving Illinois’ Prairie Project Details Lead Authority: Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Vermillion County Conservation District, Urbana Park District, and the City of UrbanaTotal Project Cost: $1,458,000 for Urbana extensionFunding Pledged to Date: $0 Federal: $0State: $11,200,000 currently allocated for full 24.5-mile trail completion  Local and Private: $0 Shovel-Ready: Three years or less; partial land acquisition neededType: Urban, rural Transformative […]

Revitalizing the “Mother Road” for Transportation, Recreation and Historic Preservation Project Details Lead Authority: McLean CountyTotal Project Cost: $14,340,000Funding Pledged to Date: $6,667,066 Federal: $1,253,897State: $4,325,560Local: $1,087,609 Shovel-Ready: Three years or lessType: Suburban, rural Transformative Impact Job Creation: An estimated 283 directly1 Transportation: Provides local connections between schools, parks and commercial areas strengthening neighboring communities by creating long-distance bicycling facilities. Economic Impact: Annual Route […]

We thrive on these adventures—appreciating the unknown, the unexpected and the unique individuals we meet along the way. Being on our bicycles provides us with a sense of freedom and a way to stay attuned to the present moment.

The 14.5-mile Pennsy Greenway now connects two counties in two states (Cook County, Illinois, and Lake County, Indiana), as well as the communities of Lansing, Illinois, and Indiana’s Munster and Schererville along the way.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY To this end, RTC embarked on a 12-month assessment of route options using its GIS database of more than 34,000 miles of existing, multiuse trails nationwide, and analyzing more than 300 state and local trail plans to identify planned future trails. RTC also met and worked with more than 200 local trail partners […]

No matter your architectural penchant—you’re sure to find a building to gawk at while traversing these rail-trail architecture highlights.

Across the country, bridges are literally serving as gateways for communities to achieve critical strides in active transportation, conservation and economic development. Here, we take a look at 20 iconic bridges and trestles in the United States (in no particular order) that have played—or are playing—transformative connectivity roles in their regions.