Governor Quinn Announces $1.2 Million for Eagle Trail Multi-Use Path in Newton

NEWTON – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $1.2 million to create the Eagle Trail multi-use path in Newton. The project is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Pedestrians and bicyclists will get a lot of use from this path in Newton,” Governor Quinn said. “The construction project will also employ a number of construction workers, which will help the local economy as well.”

The ten foot wide Eagle Trail concrete multi-use path will be built from Water Street northeasterly to the intersection of County Roads 1025N and 1175E. The path will then go easterly to just west of Illinois Routes 33 and 130. An existing bridge will be repaired for use on the trail. A.J. Walker Construction Company of Mattoon was the lowest of four bidders for the work at $1,254,923. The Illinois Department of Transportation will manage the project.

“Investing in our recreational infrastructure is not only an asset to the region, but creates tourism opportunities that benefit the local economy,” State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) said.

This project is part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.