Thanks to the public and private officials and the rails-to-trails folks who had the foresight to plan and implement the construction of the latest section of the MetroLink bike trail, and to the public for the tiny portion of their gasoline taxes that goes to non-surface transportation. But I have a question: Why is this entire new section of trail constricted by fencing on both sides of the trail from the North End park loop all the way to the Memorial station? Was this unneeded structure part of the original plans that were designed for the trail at the time of the MetroLink extension (around 1999)?

Also, it has been noted that this fencing greatly added cost to the project and has been to the detriment of the animal inhabitants in the environment as noted by at least two instances of dead deer at the Caseyville Avenue crossing. Please note that the original sections of the Belleville trail (and the dozens of miles in Madison County) do not have this seemingly wasted feature.

Biking and walking trails offer lifestyle enhancements to our community, but I would like to see some explanation as to the need for these increased construction costs for future trail expansion.

Angie Nettleton

Swansea