Eastern Illinois rail trail hopes to solve funding shortfall

MAHOMET, Ill. (AP) - Planners behind an effort to turn an old rail right-of-way into a trail between Urbana and Danville hope a series of fundraisers help cover part of the $180,000 shortfall for the project's first phase.

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District and others are planning to build the 24.5-mile Kickapoo Rail Trail. The first segment would be 6.7 miles and is already under construction between Urbana and the small town of St. Joseph.

Forest district deputy director Mary Ellen Wuellner tells The News-Gazette in Champaign (http://bit.ly/28U4ilC ) that a concert and two charity bicycle rides are planned for July and September.

She says raising the $180,000 by spring is "very doable." Total cost of the first phase is expected to be about $2.7 million.

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Online: www.kickapoorailtrail.org

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Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com