Governor Quinn Announces $157,000 for Bicycle and Pedestrian Path in Vienna

VIENNA – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $157,000 to construct a bicycle and pedestrian path in Vienna, part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The project is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Our investment will create a safer and more convenient way for students, faculty and others to walk or bicycle in Vienna,” Governor Quinn said. “The project will also employ a number of construction workers, which will help the local economy.”

A combined bicycle and pedestrian path will be constructed from Vienna High School to the Tunnel Hill State Bike Path in Vienna. The work will include traffic signs, pavement markings and pipe culverts. George E. Jones Excavating, LLC of Marion was the lowest of five bidders at $157,885. The project will be overseen by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“This new bicycle and pedestrian path will not only make Vienna more connectable, but will help to draw more tourist traffic from the Tunnel Hill State Trail, down into the Vienna square to experience the many restaurants and unique stores the city has to offer,” State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) said. “The economic situation in our region needs to change, and we still have more work to do, but I am encouraged by the progress we are seeing with projects like this that are putting Southern Illinoisans back to work.”

The 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.