by Rhys Saunders

The Interurban Bike and Pedestrian Trail between Springfield and Chatham is officially open.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony that included U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, was held today at the “MacArthur Tunnel,” just north of the new intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Interstate 72.

The new road between Wabash Avenue and I-72 is scheduled to open by the end of the year, weather permitting.

Durbin has been instrumental in securing money for the trail, allocating $950,000 in the transportation appropriation bills from fiscal years 2006 to 2008. He also helped fight for trail continuity when construction of the MacArthur extension began three years ago.

“At the end of the day, we brought money back to Springfield,” Durbin said. “It creates an opportunity for recreation for a lot of people. It’s a great day to be out on a bicycle and a great place to be out on a trail.”

A new loop runs along a tree line west of the extension before turning back east to the tunnel. The area also is the site of the proposal Legacy Pointe residential, retail and commercial development to be anchored by a Scheels sporting goods store.

Scheels has announced plans to break ground in 2010 and to open the store in the summer of 2011.

Ernie DeFrates, a member and past president of the Springfield Bicycle Club, said he’s pleased with the addition to the trail.

“They were essentially going to make a seven-mile trail into a one-mile trail,” he said of early construction plans.

“It’s one and a half miles longer now. It’s just great that everybody gets to use it,” he added.

Longtime club member Dean Wisleder says he’s been using the trail since it opened in 2004.

Considering the obstacles presented by railroads, the highway and development, Wisleder said he thinks the new loop is outstanding.

“I think it will hopefully draw attention that these trails are important to a lot of people,” he said.