Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA)

Interest in bike and pedestrian infrastructure surged again in 1991 with the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), which introduced dedicated funding for trails and bike-ped projects across the country. In the early 2000s, local advocates began encouraging officials to include trails as part of roadway design, not just scenic recreation. It marked an important shift toward building trails that connect communities and serve as real transportation routes. Step by step, the vision for connected trails in our region kept moving forward.