Itching to walk above War Memorial Drive? This trail extension is 'about 99% complete'

PEORIA – Work on an extension of the Rock Island Greenway is nearing completion.

"The project stands about 99% complete," said Nick McMillion, a communications specialist for the city of Peoria's Public Works department.

The new section of trail extends from Harvard Avenue into Glen Oak Park, where it connects with an existing trail. It crosses a former railroad bridge over War Memorial Drive.

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Workers have finished clearing the trail of plants and debris and have laid down fresh gravel. While most of the new trail area is already accessible to the public, the bridge will remain blocked off until fences on either side can be completed. Supply chain delays on materials for the fence  have prevented the project from being fully completed, McMillion said.

When those missing materials will arrive is uncertain.

"It could be next week, it could be three weeks from now," McMillion said.

Once they do arrive, he said, the bridge should be completed and accessible to the public within a week.

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The Rock Island Greenway stretches about 13 miles from Downtown Peoria to Alta and is maintained by the Peoria Park District. It is connected to the larger state-maintained Rock Island Trail, which extends northwest another 26 miles from Alta to Toulon. The trail is named after the now-defunct railroad that once ran through the same land.

Ongoing work on the Rock Island Greenway extension is the most recent part of a project that began when Peoria and Peoria Heights purchased the Kellar Branch of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1984.

Last year, the City Council voted to spend $622,787 on the project.