Sen. Dale Fowler tested out new trails at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center’s bike paths in May. | Photo Courtesy of Dale Fowler/Facebook
Sen. Dale Fowler tested out new trails at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center’s bike paths in May. | Photo Courtesy of Dale Fowler/Facebook
Illinois state Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) kept constituents abreast of the latest on the off-highway vehicle trail system at Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area, and he's "cautiously optimistic."
"Currently the IDNR is waiting for $1.3 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration before the project can go out for bid," Fowler said in a post to his Facebook account on Nov. 17.However, the IDNR officials I spoke with said they are cautiously optimistic that the OHV site will be ready for riders in the spring of 2023!"
Fowler went on to talk about what had already been built in the park for the project.
"Work already completed:The clearing of 26 miles of trails for the project. The installation of $100,000 worth of culverts throughout the trails. Maintenance projects, including keeping trails clear of debris and from overgrowing back with woody vegetation. Design work for two separate Phase 1 projects; ready to bid immediately once federal funds are in-hand. Utilities are being worked on with Carrier Mills and planning for electrical and fiber optics are underway."
Previously in May, Fowler enjoyed a different sort of trail: He took a ride and celebrated the opening of the bike trails system at the Touch of Nature Environment Center, according to the Carbondale Reporter.
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