TrailNet has been in discussion with the city of Madison over ongoing funding needed to keep the Chain of Rocks Bridge open. According to an article in the Granite City Press-Record:
Funding cutbacks for the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge have Madison Mayor John Hamm concerned. . . .
At this time, Trailnet opens the bridge in the morning and Madison police close it in the evening. The money for closing comes out of Madison's coffers.
On Tuesday, Trailnet Executive Director Ann Mack addressed the City Council with further concerns about the bridge related to a revenue shortfall that the organization has experienced.
In an interview later, she that the shortfall occurred after funding from Great Rivers Greenway, a publicly funded park district which services St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, dried up. . . .
According to its Web site, Green Rivers Greenway District spearheaded the development of The River Ring, an interconnected system of greenways, parks and trails around the St. Louis Region. Great Rivers Greenway spokeswoman Robyn Franel confirmed that the funding was cut off. She said that the end of the funding, in December, was scheduled and was not a surprise.
