Image courtesy of SCCTD

Trail is part of MetroLink Expansion Project to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport

SHILOH, Ill. – Representatives of the St. Clair County Transit District are celebrating the completion of a $6 million, 4.5-mile extension of the MetroBikeLink Trail.

Construction on the trail began in 2023 and was completed in June 2026. The bicycle trail was designed as part of a combined effort between engineering firms WSP, TWM and EFK Moen, with elements constructed under four different contracts that utilized dozens of subcontractors.

SCCTD funded $5.5 million of the project, with an additional $500,000 in grants from the Metro East Park and Recreation District ($300,000) and the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources ($200,000).

This milestone marks the completion of the first of three parts of the MetroLink Expansion Project to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, with associated roadway improvements opening in the coming weeks and the MetroLink extension anticipated to begin service in late summer.

The new trail segment runs parallel to the MetroLink alignment from the existing bike path at Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. It features scenic views, rolling inclines, three bridges, no stops and passes through Silver Creek Wetlands, home to native wildlife. The trail is ideal for cyclists looking to build speed and endurance.

The MetroBikeLink Trail is the spine of the MetroBikeLink System – consisting of 40 miles of interconnecting trails throughout St. Clair County. It runs adjacent to the MetroLink alignment for more than 18 miles between the Fairview Heights Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. It connects to seven Metro Transit Centers in five different communities – offering seamless integration of biking and transit use via the MetroLink, MetroBus and microtransit options like the SCCTD Flyer.