IDOT, local officials, community partners celebrate start of construction on next phase of Route 66 Trail

For Immediate Release – August 5, 2025

McLEAN – The Illinois Department of Transportation was joined by McLean County, the village of McLean, neighboring communities and state and local officials to celebrate the latest extension of the Route 66 Trail. Made possible by a $3.2 million grant through IDOT’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, the project will extend the trail 4.5 miles from McLean to Funks Grove, enhancing a popular travel and recreation option in central Illinois while drawing tourists, creating economic opportunity and improving connections for communities along the old Route 66.

“Almost a century after it opened, Route 66 still is connecting people and places,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Projects like these don’t happen overnight. They require strong regional vision and coordination. We are proud to support the hard work and look forward to even more Route 66 Trail improvements in the years ahead.”

Overseen by McLean County, the project will build a 10-foot-wide, paved trail adjacent to Route 66, with two new trailheads and solar-powered flashing crosswalk beacons. The extension broke ground earlier this summer, with construction anticipated to wrap up in December. The total investment with local contributions is $4 million.