Jerry Kane

Jerry Kane. The Man Behind the MCT Trails. , "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson, The story of the Madison County Transit (MCT) Trails is really a story about the vision and tenacity of one man, Jerry J. Kane., Jerry served as MCT's Managing Director from 1986 to 2019 - developing a paratransit service for the elderly and disabled, expanding the fixed-route bus system, creating the RideFinders carpool/vanpool program, and constructing the scenic MCT Trails system., Jerry has always been a man of vision and action. So, it comes as a surprise that in the early 1990s - inspired by visits to rail-trails and observing that local rail lines were being abandoned - Jerry's wheels began turning., Situated between St. Louis and Chicago, Madison County was a hub of rail activity for more than a century. Dozens of railroads criss-crossed the county, creating a web of rail alignments that were being abandoned in the 1990s. Elsewhere, these parcels were carved up and sold off to adjacent property owners, but Jerry had other plans for Madison County., In 1993, thanks to his efforts, the State of Illinois granted MCT permissive authority to develop and maintain bike trails. MCT soon began the painstaking process of acquiring and "rail-banking" former railroad alignments no only to build Class One bikeways, but also to preserve these vital transportation corridors. Mile by mile, corridors were acquired, in some cases, taking years of negotiation and litigation. And one by one, Jerry and his staff received federal, state, and local grants (to the tune of $50 million over 25 years) to build the MCT Trails. , In 2000, Jerry played an instrumental role in the creation and development of the Metro East Park and Recreation District, which provides critical matching funds to public bodies in Madison and St. Clair Counties for park and trail projects., Always putting people first, Jerry insisted that tunnels and bridges be installed at road crossings - when possible - to create a seamless trail experience for users of all ages and abilities. During his tenure, Jerry was responsible for the construction of 49 bridges, 25 tunnels, and 7 trail loops along the MCT Trails. Because of Jerry, the MCT Trails system is one of the most extensive, interconnected, and user-friendly bikeway systems in the country., Thanks to Jerry's bold vision and persistence, the world-class MCT Trails have placed Madison County on the map - enhancing the quality of life for residents as a sustainable recreation, commuting, and fitness option; serving as a magnet for visitors and new home buyers; preserving more than 1,500 acres of greenspace; improving property values; and fostering the growth of a bicycle/pedestrian culture in the communities of Madison County., If you ask Jerry, he'll give all the credit for the MCT Trails to timing, to elected officials, to board members, even to divine intervention. And while they certainly helped pave the way, Jerry did all the pedaling.