Benton and Mt. Vernon Bike Master Plans

Benton and Mt. Vernon participated in the development of a bicycle master plan that the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission facilitated on behalf of the City of Benton and the City of Mt. Vernon. The purpose of the bicycle master plan is to guide future bicycle improvements in each city with short, intermediate, and long-term implementation strategies. The bicycle master plan included an inventory of existing bicycle facilities, an analysis of existing roadways capable of accommodating bicycle facilities, and recommendations for specific infrastructure projects.

While the plan was for the jurisdictional boundaries of each city, recommended bike travel corridors were considered to existing and proposed regional bike trail networks such as the Rend Lake bike trails.

The planning process started in Summer 2023 and was completed by late Spring 2024. Community input was an essential part of the bicycle master plan. An Advisory Committee that includes residents, organizations, and businesses met with the planning team three times during the process to provide advice and feedback. In addition, an online community wide survey and two public open houses allowed the public to help shape the plan.

Download a copy of the Benton Bicycle Master Plan

Download a copy of the Mt. Vernon Bicycle Master Plan

Watch a WSIL TV new story about Benton Open House Part 1

Watch a WSIL TV news story about Benton Open House Part 2

Prime Consultant: The i5Group

Sub-Consultants: Oates Associates, Round Table Design