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📸 Credit: City of Batavia
A stretch of the Fox River Trail near the wastewater treatment plant in Batavia is one step closer to getting fixed.
On Sept. 5, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi joined Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke and city officials at the Batavia Farmers' Market, where he presented $250,000 in federal funding for a new trail segment on the west side of the river.
Here's what to know:
The problem it solves: According to city officials, the current trail route isn't ideal, directing people away from a dedicated path and onto the roadway. The new segment would give walkers and cyclists a safer, more direct route with better access to the river.
Why this stretch needs work: The city's wastewater treatment plant, which sits along this section of trail, had to be expanded to meet stricter federal water-quality rules and replace aging equipment. That expansion affected the existing trail and pushed the city to look at a new route.
Funding the project: This isn't the first federal money aimed at the project; U.S. Rep. Bill Foster previously secured $1 million for it, with the new $250,000 meant to help close the remaining funding gap.
The city hasn't finalized design plans or a total project cost yet.
The Fox River Trail is a regional, multi-use path that runs from Oswego to Algonquin, serving more than 100,000 Fox Valley residents.
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