Metro East Park and Recreation District
Priority Paths
Grant Program
The MEPRD Priority Paths Grant Program is a special-purpose program designed to accelerate the development of high-priority regional trail segments, focusing on closing critical gaps within the interconnected trail network.
FY 2027 Priority Paths Grant
Program Funding
- Total FY27 Program Budget:
- $3,000,000.00
- 0 Pending:
- - $0.00
- 0 Awarded:
- - $0.00
- Available/Remaining:$3,000,000.00
Pending and Remaining Funds are subject to change at any time and may increase or decrease as grant requests are reviewed and processed. Check back frequently for the latest updates.
Updated: July 15, 2026
- Click the download button above to open the application.
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- Fill in and save the contents of the application as you work on it.
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Submission Requirement: Applicants must submit two (2) original signed applications (using binder clips, no staples or binding) and one (1) high-resolution electronic copy (in PDF format). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The FY 2027 Priority Paths Grant Program has a total program budget of $3,000,000.
Maximum Grant Award: Priority Paths Grant awards shall not exceed 40% of the total project cost, up to a maximum award of $1,500,000 for a qualifying Priority Path project (plus, any supplemental funding as detailed in Section 3.1 of the application).
Cost Share Requirement: At least 60% of the total project cost must come from another source (i.e., federal, state, local, public, non-public, and/or monetary contribution by the applicant).
*Refer to the application for complete details and requirements.
The FY 2027 Priority Paths Grant Program operates on a first-come, first-served basis; complete applications will be accepted, reviewed, and awarded in the order received until all program funds are depleted or the program deadline, whichever comes first.
Applications Accepted: July 15, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. — May 31, 2027, at 3:00 p.m.
* Or until 100% of program funds are depleted, whichever comes first.
Eligible applicants for the Priority Paths Grant Program are limited to:
Madison County Transit District (MCT) - Red Zone
St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) - Green Zone
Alternative Applicant: If a transit district formally declines to apply or fails to apply by 5/1/2027, MEPRD will allow another public agency to apply for the grant. To be eligible, the alternative applicant must have jurisdiction over the entire trail corridor and agree to assume all responsibilities of the primary Project Sponsor as defined in this program, including all requirements for ownership, operation, and maintenance.
To qualify as an eligible project, the primary scope of work must be for the development of a complete and contiguous, non-motorized and fully separated Class I Bikeway, also known as a shared-use path.
Additionally, all projects must:
- Identify a preferred alignment or corridor that meets the specific 'Priority Path Zone' objectives, even if the final route is subject to further study and acquisition.
- Must be AASHTO compliant (minimum 10' wide, hard-suraced share-use path).
- Be a fully separated Class I Bikeway.
- Be striped.
- Provide a direct and logical connection between the existing regional trail segments.
- Adhere to ADA requirements.
*For a complete list of eligible and ineligible project types/components, refer to the application.
Red Zone
Creates a direct connection from the interconnected regional trail network found within Madison County, IL to the MCT Confluence Trail. This new segment will also provide connectivity to the McKinley Bridge Bikeway (existing) and the Metro East Riverfront Trail (in-progress). Eligible Trail Corridors that fulfill this objective are as follows:
- MCT Goshen Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
- MCT Bluff Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
- MCT Nature Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
- MCT Schoolhouse Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
- Alternate direct corridors that fulfill the objective as determined by MEPRD.
Green Zone
Creates a direct connection from the interconnected regional trail network found within St. Clair County, IL to the southern terminus of the MCT Goshen Trail at Kyle Road in O’Fallon, IL. Eligible Trail Corridors that fulfill this objective are as follows:
- SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via the Old Collinsville Road Trail
- SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via the St. Ellen Mine Park Trail
- SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via the Shiloh Trail
- SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via Rieder Road
- Alternate direct corridors that fulfill the objective as determined by MEPRD.
Map of Priority Path Zones
We are pleased to announce the FY 2027 Priority Paths Grant Program is now accepting applications. As grants are reviewed and approved by the MEPRD Board of Directors, the awarded projects will be added to this list.
Please check back for updates.
The list of grant awards on this page is not final. Additional recipients/awards will be added as new grant requests are received and approved by MEPRD. The grant program will continue to accept applications until all program funds are depleted.
Updated: July 2026
If you have questions about the program or need assistance, we can help! Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact MEPRD if help is needed with verifying project and/or grant round eligibility, preliminary application review, or general assistance.
Call (618) 346-4905
