I&M Canal and Centennial Trail Connection Officially Open: A New Link for Scenic Adventures

On October 7, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of a trail connection linking the 3.26-mile Centennial Trail with the 11-mile I&M Canal Trail. This new pathway offers the public 14.5 miles of uninterrupted, scenic trail, spanning from Lemont to Joliet and creating a continuous route for outdoor enthusiasts.

A Project Made Possible Through Community Partnership

This vital connection was funded by a generous grant from CITGO and developed collaboratively by the Village of Romeoville, the City of Lockport, and the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Winding along and under the 135th Street bridge on the east side of the canal, this trail link now offers local communities a picturesque pathway to explore while enhancing regional connectivity.

The project’s enhancements include:

• New walkways and curbs
• Artistic street graphics
• A dedicated parking area
• Benches for rest stops
• A bike repair station for on-the-go adjustments
• Directional signage and landscaping
• A vibrant mural under the 135th Street bridge

In addition to these amenities, funds have been allocated to maintain the connection, and future plans aim to extend the path to link with the Romeoville Metra station, further increasing access to public transportation.

Celebrating Community and Connectivity

Officials and partners celebrated this successful collaboration as a model of public-private partnership. Romeoville Mayor John Noak expressed his gratitude, stating, “This is a fantastic example of a public-private partnership that has helped us to enhance our community’s trail system. I can’t thank our project partners enough for their cooperation.”

Lockport Mayor Steven Streit echoed this sentiment, adding, “This is another one of those great incremental updates to the region's bike path system that brings connectivity to our cities and heritage sites. I’m thankful to Romeoville, CITGO, the Forest Preserve District of Will County, and the City of Lockport for working together to fix this previously fractured part of the trail and allow safe and easy passage along the I&M Canal and Des Plaines River.”

Forest Preserve Board President Annette Parker highlighted the ongoing commitment to trail connections, saying, “For decades, linking our residents to open spaces and other civic areas has been one of our primary goals. Our past partnerships with the Village of Romeoville and the City of Lockport have been highly successful, and we look forward to partnering with them on future projects.”

CITGO’s Commitment to Safety and Community

Jim Cristman, Vice President and General Manager of the CITGO Lemont Refinery, shared CITGO’s motivation behind supporting this project: “We have a strong safety culture within CITGO and we wanted to help extend that same focus to our community. We are excited to contribute to the new I&M Canal Trail along with our community partners and provide a safer connection between the Lockport and Romeoville communities.”

This new trail connection exemplifies how cooperative efforts and dedicated resources can revitalize local landscapes, connect communities, and promote active lifestyles. With a stunning stretch of trail now open for walking, biking, and exploring, the I&M Canal and Centennial Trail connection invites the community to enjoy Illinois’ natural beauty like never before.