Building Bridges – Linn County Trails

We have been calling it the “golden age of trails development.” Two decades ago, the Linn County Trails Association contributed dollars and sweat equity to convert portions of the former Milwaukee Road railway into a three-segment, 3.2-mile dirt path Grant Wood Trail. Today, the developed trail — and funded plans — project a continuous, paved path nearly four times that length to be completed within the next few years. While much work remains, these renewed efforts cast excitement to revisit early plans for the trail’s link to the Mississippi River.

If you’ve been following our website or social media pages, you’ll know the City of Marion held a ribbon cutting in July for a new CeMar/Grant Wood Trail bridge over Indian Creek. Once a staple in Marion, the Milwaukee Railroad served the community for decades. The bridge over Indian Creek was first built in 1915 and has sat idle for years since the last passenger train served Marion in 1971. The reconstructed bridge, using its original girders atop new piers, takes on new life with fresh pavement for pedestrians and bicyclists. Ornamental embellishments pay tribute to Marion’s railroad history.

Work continues to progress on the Grant Wood Trail bridge over Marion Boulevard. This bridge will be adorned with artistic features designed by local artist Cara Briggs Farmer, creating a visual “gateway” entrance into Marion.

Funds from the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) provided much of the needed financing for these bridge projects. While the MPO recently wrapped up its five-year, 80–20 percent split appropriating money for federally funded trails and highway projects respectively (traditionally the funding allocation had been reversed), much of the allocated dollars remain unspent — meaning several miles of new trails are practically shovel ready. The development we’ve seen in the past few years is only starting to hit its stride.

In 2016, Linn County voters approved a $40-million bond initiative to improve water quality and parks, and to construct trails. In the time since, local governments and advocacy groups have shown their dedication to those same priorities. It is apparent the increased focus on trail building across organizations adds up to an exciting time for trails progress in Linn County.

Lest we forget, major projects in the past few years have included the extension of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail hard surfacing, north to just past Urbana, and south to the Linn County line; the acquisition of land to eventually form the Interurban Trail to Mount Vernon; a trail connection from Morgan Creek Park (including a gorgeous bridge) to a growing Cherokee Trail on Cedar Rapids’ west side; and the aforementioned expansion of the Grant Wood Trail.

Two more iconic bridges will come online soon as part of the ConnectCR project. One bringing life to a historical bridge over the Cedar River, south of the Czech Village (the Alliant LightLine™ bridge, shown in a rendering at right). Another ConnectCR bridge will create a special boardwalk interaction for Cedar Lake visitors.

Still yet two more iconic bridges, with important trail connections, are in the early planning stages. A replacement for the 8th Avenue Bridge over the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids will include wide sidewalks with connections to trails on both sides of the river. And the Biechler Bridge will connect trail users across the Cedar River to the north, next to Hwy. 100.

Many communities are lucky if they can take on one such project per decade. Our community will install at least six significant bridges in about as much time. Linn County Trails Association is proud to have contributed to many of these projects, and to the trails that connect them. And with the help of our supporters, we will put your dollars hard at work to ensure our trail system continues to experience this golden era!