A landmark vote has occurred at the Corridor MPO regarding trail funding.  Available trail funding should be significantly increased in the coming years.  Adam Lindenlaub, MPO Administrator, will explain.

Please plan to attend this important meeting.  LCTA Board meetings are always open to the public.

May 14, 7:00 pm, United Way Building, 317 7th Ave SE.

The Corridor MPO recently voted to use 80% of STP funds for trail development.  The STP budget is approximately $3 million dollars.  This is a big accomplishment for trail development in our region and now LCTA asks that trail supporters say thank you to the MPO for funding and supporting trail development.  The best way to communicate with the MPO is through their website: http://www.corridormpo.com/about-us/95-feedback/140-contact-us. An example thank you is available below. If you contacted an MPO member previously, please feel free to follow up with thapersonal directly.

Dear Corridor MPO Member,

My name is (insert name) and I am a resident of (insert city of residence, work, leisure, etc).  (Explain how or why you use the trails and why the decision to fund trails is a benefit to you).

There are key reasons to why this decision is so important for area residents:

1) Tax Effective Products – The report “Active Transportation: Cost-Effective Mobility Improvements—for Everyone” by Rails to Trails Conservancy explains that walking and bicycling transportation projects make the most of every tax dollar spent. “With fewer federal dollars available, these projects can be completed at a low cost, are highly popular and significantly improve mobility (RailstoTrails.org).”

2) Healthiest State Initiative -  “Rather than asking people to increase their will power, the Blue Zones Community model works to improve environments. Little changes to your home, work, school, social, physical, and policy environments can make healthy choices the easy choices so that well-being improves naturally (BlueZonesProjects.com).” Connected trails make the healthy decision the easy decision.

3) Quality of Life – Trails have a high impact on quality of life for a region.  Safe, connected trails offer opportunities for commuting and recreation.  Funding trail development at this level will have a positive impact on the quality of life for residents in the region.

Thank you for your support!

76th Ave is scheduled to be closed to thru traffic on Wednesday, May 9th for a paving project.   The actual paving is scheduled to begin Monday, May 14th.  The contractor will start paving at the east end of the project (near Ely Road) and work west towards C Street.  The paving is expected to take 2 days.

The paving project will effect the Hoover Trail.  Once the paving begins on May 14th, the trail will be closed (for 48 hours).  Trail users can walk their bikes along the shoulder for about 1000’ to the east, go around the paving, and head back to catch the trail on the other side.  There will likely be a lot of construction traffic/equipment, signs, and safety fence; the safest option would be to not use the trail for a few days.

Following the paving, there will be a grade difference between the trail and the new road pavement.  Tapers will be installed after the paving to correct the grading difference.  Access will also be unavailable when the asphalt taper is being placed to match the trail to the new pavement.

For additional questions, contact Linn County Conservation, (319) 892-6450 or conservation@linncounty.org.

LCTA has purchased an abandoned railroad right-of-way within the Cedar Rapids City Limits in order to extend the Lindale Trail east from the C Ave/Blairs Ferry Rd NE intersection to Marion City Limits.  LCTA is donating the property (6.37 acres, approximately 2000 ft of trail) to the City of Cedar Rapids.  Access to the trail from C Ave is via an existing easement through the IBEW property.  Entry from C Ave is in front of the Walgreens Drug Store or from Blairs Ferry Rd east of the Road Ranger convenience store.   The Cedar Rapids Comprehensive Trails Plan will eventually connect it to the Cedar River trail from the west and the Marion trails plan will eventually connect it to the Grant Wood Trail from the east.  LCTA has been working with the cities of Cedar Rapids and Marion to develop the donated property at minimum cost by using city staff and equipment.  LCTA recently completed a cleanup project on the property.  It took three Solid Waste Agency trucks to haul away all the accumulated trash of the abandoned railway.

LCTA and the Cedar Rapids Staff are co-chairs of the Blue Zones Walkability/Bikeablity Initiative.   The Lindale Trail project is an example of what can be accomplished when we bring the communities together in a cooperative effort to make Cedar Rapids and the entire Metro Area a healthier community!

For details about the event or to register, please visit: www.ecofestcr.wordpress.com.

Please be cautious of trail users at all time!

LCTA Board meeting is held the second Monday of every month.  The public is always welcome!

Top Grade Excavating reported that work would start with pipe work and rough grading north of Lafayette Road (working north), then proceeding from the south end of the project, working north.

While this segment of the Cedar Valley Trail is closed, Linn County Conservation Department encourages users to explore other trail options in Linn County. Last summer, the Hoover Trail was paved from Cedar Rapids to Ely, which provides another paved surface route in Linn County. For users interested using non-paved surfaces, Squaw Creek Park is home to trails for mountain biking. Pinicon Ridge Park has several miles of trails for hiking or walking. Additionally, the Grant Wood Trail provides a great running, walking, or biking opportunity in rural Iowa.