Sherman-Williamsville Trail
The Sherman-Williamsville Trail is a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) right-of-way that has been set aside for future use as a rail trail from Sherman, Illinois to Williamsville, Illinois in Fancy Creek Township and Williams Township in northern Sangamon County.[1] [2]
The right-of-way occupies part of what was once an electric interurban line operated by the Illinois Terminal Railroad (ITR) from 1906 until 1956. The right-of-way, which generally parallels Interstate 55, has passed into the hands of the electrical utility holding company Ameren, the current owner, and is used as a high-tension power corridor.[1]
Construction and operation of the proposed rail trail will be carried out by the village of Williamsville.[2]
Current events
On 6 December 2010, the Sherman-Williamsville rail-trail project received a $269,000 state/federal grant for engineering planning purposes. The money will be used to survey the route and do test borings to determine if the ITR's railroad ballast remains in place underneath the land surface of the overgrown right-of-way.[1]
As of 2011, the Sherman and Williamsville municipalities are among the fastest-growing areas in Central Illinois by population. The total cost of the Sherman-Williamsville trail project was estimated in December 2010 at $2.38 million.[1][2]
On 27 May 2011, Williamsville announced that engineering and design work, to be carried out under the December 2010 grant, would start in summer 2011.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d Reavy, Amanda (7 December 2010). "$269,000 grant advances plans for Sherman-Williamsville trail". State Journal-Register. p. 1.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ a b c d Reavy, Amanda (28 May 2011). "$$2.4 million trail construction may begin next year". State Journal-Register. p. 1.
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