Macon Reporter

State Senator Erica Harriss announced the opening of a new trail designed to provide residents with additional opportunities for outdoor activities. In an October 30 Facebook post, she said, "The new addition stretches from the MCT Goshen Trail to SIUE campus."

"Yesterday, I joined local officials for the unveiling of the MCT Trails Yellowhammer Connector," said Harriss, Illinois State Senator (R), according to Facebook. "The new addition stretches from the MCT Goshen Trail to SIUE campus. The new 2,400 section of the trail also features a 200-foot bowstring bridge over the Delaplain Branch creek valley."

On October 29, Madison County Transit (MCT) Trails also shared news of the trail's opening on Facebook. The post detailed that the new addition extends the 138-mile MCT Trails system from the MCT Goshen Trail to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). It provides students, staff, and community members with a scenic route for biking or walking. The 2,400-foot trail was funded by the State of Illinois Re-Build Illinois Grant and features a 200-foot bowstring bridge over Delaplain Branch creek valley. It connects seamlessly to SIUE’s Delyte Morris Trail and follows parts of the historic Yellowhammer streetcar line.

According to Advantage News, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville contributed more than four acres for this project. The new connector includes a significant bowstring truss bridge designed for both bicycles and pedestrian traffic over Delaplain Branch creek valley.

The MCT Trails is an initiative by Madison County Transit (MCT), which began nearly three decades ago when MCT started acquiring former railroad rights of way for trails and potential light rail development. Currently, it encompasses a 138-mile network of separated Class One bikeways.

Harriss was elected in 2022 to represent the people of the 56th Senate District and commenced her term in 2023. Her political career began with six years on the Madison County Board representing the 26th District, where she served as Chair of the Personnel Committee and was involved in various other committees. She is also a business owner and an alumna of Edwards High School and Southern Illinois University, where she earned a degree in speech communications/public relations.