Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) is holding meetings to request public input on the development of a new statewide plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Iowa is behind many neighboring states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri that have state sponsored trails that extend beyond the urban counties. The only reason that the Cedar Valley Nature Trail exists today is that Linn and Blackhawk Counties stepped up and assumed responsibility for the trail in the rural counties of Benton and Buchanan Counties. It is important that LCTA trail supporters have a strong presence at this meeting. Please plan on attending!
Next Monday – November 4th 5-7:00 PM, IDOT Office 5455 Kirkwood Blvd SW – Conference Room A
Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan
Project description
Walking and biking are proven ways to improve the quality of life for all of us, providing healthy alternatives for people to get where they need to go. Many Iowans have embraced bicycling and walking for both recreation and daily transportation. Iowa’s extensive trails system continues to evolve and recreational events such as Iowa’s RAGBRAI event each July continues to grow in popularity.
Moving forward, the Iowa DOT has made a commitment to our customers to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan to expand opportunities and further improve conditions for bicycling and walking across the state.
This plan will build upon the Iowa DOT’s long-range strategy for multimodal transportation over the next three decades, Iowa in Motion – Planning Ahead 2040. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan has three key objectives:
- Align with national best practices, including the federal transportation funding bill called Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) and national guidelines for trail development.
- Develop a list of priorities to expand the trails system between and within cities.
- Help state and local agencies to put the plan in place by providing tools for funding and design.
Upon its completion, this plan will serve as the primary guide for statewide decision-making regarding bicycle and pedestrian programs and facilities, including sidewalks, trails, bike lanes, paved shoulders, and other trail elements. It will also help achieve a better level of statewide coordination and continuity for all levels of bicycle and pedestrian mobility through regional, county, and city plans and programs.
It is a primary goal of this project to get customer input during the development of the plan through public meetings, social media, and email. The initial round of public meetings will be held in November 2013. Visit the “Public Involvement” page to find out how you can get involved.
Public meetings and locations
It is a primary goal of this project to engage citizens during the development of the plan. The following public meetings have been scheduled.
Monday, Nov. 4, 2013
5 to 7 p.m.
IDOT District 6 Office – conference room A
5455 Kirkwood Blvd. SW.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404