BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 4/17/2012 2:59:46 PM:
Paul, let me first say I do not know of any plans to make the connection. The old MKT line continued from Machens southeast to St. Louis. Currently, the trail dead-ends in Machens at the BNSF line (which is still operating). I do not know if that means that BNSF now has the rights-of-way, but it looks like there is no room for a trail. Most people connect to the Riverfront trail by ending the Katy at Machens, then following MO-94 (or its side roads) to the Clark Bridge in Alton. From there they pick up the Confluence Trail, which connects to the Riverfront Trail.