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PTHS students outline Route 66 multi-use path, highlight $2 million in bridge funding
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Summary
Pontiac Township High School environmental science students presented a proposal to convert an abandoned half of Route 66 into a phased, roughly nine-mile multi-use path connecting Chenoa and Pontiac, citing survey support and $2 million in ITEP funding to address bridge obstacles.
Pontiac Township High School environmental science students told the Pontiac City Council they want to convert an abandoned half of Route 66 into a multi-use recreational and conservation path linking Chenoa to Pontiac.
"So today, we have three things specifically that we want to share with you," Cole Donzi, one of the students, said, listing the project’s purpose, the steps the class proposes to take and community survey results they gathered. Presenters said the project would expand recreation, support habitat conservation and strengthen community connections.
Student presenters outlined a phased approach — "one mile at a time" — relying on volunteer cleanups and habitat plantings, grant funding and coordination among the city, county and neighboring towns. "We’d like the city to help with signing and put the word out there so we can get more private donations," Joshua Hartke said. The students asked the council to coordinate with county officials and the state so work can proceed in step with broader Route 66 projects.
They presented local data from a class survey: 57% of respondents said the community needs a multi-use bike path, about 60% said they might or would use it, roughly 80% said they would or might donate time, and about 60% said they would or might donate money. The students also cited regional tourism figures tied to Route 66 and a McLean County estimate used as a cost reference: "Route 66 is a $132,000,000 tourism industry annually," and McLean County previously estimated $14,300,000 for 37.2 miles, while the students’ scope is about nine miles.
Hartke told the council the group has secured $2,000,000 in ITEP funding earmarked for bridge work that county engineers flagged as a major barrier in prior planning. "We already got $2,000,000 secured in ITEP funding to take care of the bridges," he said, describing that funding as intended for phase 1 and phase 2 to address narrow bridge lanes and pedestrian access.
An experienced county board member who spoke after the students said engineering solutions and the bridge funding shifted county opinion and that state-level coordination (including presentations to HYDOT) will be an important next step. The speaker commended the students’ research and urged council support for the outreach necessary to secure state approvals and further funding.
The students asked the council for three city actions: backing at the county level to secure corridor designation, help with signing and public outreach, and assistance in pursuing grants and donations. Council members congratulated the students and encouraged continued coordination with county and state officials.
The presentation closed with the mayor praising the students’ work; the council did not take formal legislative action on the presentation itself but recorded the request and encouragement to assist as the project moves toward county and state discussions.
