Saluki Greenway nears completion, expanding Carbondale’s regional bike path network

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — Another key segment connecting Carbondale to neighboring communities by bike path is nearing completion.

The Saluki Greenway, a 10-foot-wide paved multi-use trail along State Highway 13 between Carbondale and Murphysboro, will soon open to the public. The new trail extends the region’s growing network of bike and pedestrian paths, linking with the Mud Line Bike Path and other multi-use segments as part of a regional effort to connect Murphysboro, Carbondale, Carterville, and Marion through multimodal infrastructure.

Funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Transportation Enhancement Program, the project includes signalized crosswalks at Old Highway 13 and Striegel Road, guardrails in select areas, and new trail signage. The grant for the project was awarded to the City of Carbondale in 2020.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the eastern end of the new trail segment. Attendees may park at the north end of the Legacy Fitness parking lot at 2411 W. Main St.

“The Saluki Greenway is another great step forward in connecting our region from Marion to Murphysboro through Carbondale,” said City Manager Stan Reno. “This new section along Route 13 gives everyone a safer and more enjoyable way to walk, run, or ride between communities. With support from IDOT’s Transportation Enhancement Program, we’re continuing to build infrastructure that improves quality of life, supports recreation, and makes our region an even better place to live, work, and visit.”

The new 2.4-mile segment increases Carbondale’s total mileage of separated bike facilities to more than 11 miles. The Saluki Greenway provides a safe, accessible route for cyclists and pedestrians, enhancing both recreation and transportation options across southern Illinois.

For more information, visit the Bike Carbondale IL page at Carbondale, IL | Official Website.

For information contact Molly Maxwell, Senior Planner for the City of Carbondale at (618) 457-3233 or via email at mmaxwell@carbondaleil.gov.

For media requests contact the Eva Fisher, City of Carbondale’s Public Relations Officer, at 618-713-0711 or via email at efisher@ccarbondaleil.gov.