Oates Associates, in partnership with Madison County Transit (MCT), led the development of a new grade-separated crossing along the Schoolhouse Trail at Illinois Route 111 to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and eliminate conflicts with vehicular traffic.
The Schoolhouse Trail is a key segment of the MCT Trail System, connecting Madison, Pontoon Beach, Collinsville, Maryville, and the west side of Troy, while also linking to the MCT Nature Trail and Goshen Trail. Prior to this project, trail users were required to cross Illinois Route 111 at grade, creating safety concerns due to high-speed traffic, continuous turning movements, and long pedestrian wait times.
To address these concerns, Oates Associates and MCT conducted a conceptual feasibility study to evaluate alternatives for a safer crossing. The study analyzed both an underpass and an overpass option, considering user safety, roadway characteristics, topography, connectivity, security, maintenance, and construction impacts. The evaluation determined that a grade-separated crossing would provide the safest and most effective solution by eliminating interactions between trail users and vehicles, among other benefits.
This is MCT’s 51st bridge, but first signature bridge, which required a high level of coordination and technical expertise. The ADA-accessible bridge allows cyclists and pedestrians to cross Illinois Route 111 without entering the roadway, creating a safer and more convenient connection along the regional trail network. In addition to improving safety, the bridge enhances trail connectivity and incorporates aesthetic features such as accent lighting and branded signage that complement the surrounding environment and strengthen the corridor’s identity.
