MOLINE, Illinois - Moline's Sylvan Island will remain off-limits for two more years. The only access to the island is a bridge, which was condemned three years ago.
A locked gate has grown to be a normal sight for bikers who ride pass the Sylvan Island bridge.
Becky Bernard is a member of the Quad Cities Friends Of Off Road Cycling group and Sylvan Island used to be one of the their favorite places to bike.
"People who go fishing people, who like the trail, run, workout, and mountain bike can use this park for those types of activities," said Bernard.
However the 114-year-old bridge is now a danger for even people to walk over, let alone ride a bike over it.
"I've spent so many years of my life enjoying this area and with it being unavailable it's really been sad," said Bernard.
The city finished some of the work and hoped to have the entire project done this year, that won't happen. The city says the biggest delays were caused by environmental studies needed in the area before any construction could be allowed.
Mayor Scott Raes says its most significant work will start next spring, "We`ll take the old one out by barge and then construct the brand new one."
If all goes as planned the island could be back open for hikers, bikers and everyone else of Fall 2018.
It won't be the same Island though, over the past three years nature has started to take over. Grass and weeds have overgrown some of the trails. Friends Of Off Road Cycling and other groups say they'll get it back to where it used to be.
"We are committed to making this a unique destination again. We`ve got people who are chomping at the bit to rebuild the trails," said Harris Elias, Friends Of Off Road Cycling member.