There are many planning efforts currently underway in the Cedar Rapids Metro Area and it is easy to get confused about what is going on with these different efforts.  The following summarizes some of the other planning efforts underway.

• Corridor MPO Fixed-Route Analysis of Cedar Rapids Transit System: This project involves reviewing current transit service in the Corridor MPO planning area and evaluating transit routing options.  Issues addressed include fixed-bus routes, schedules, stop placements, number of buses, and hours of operations. The outcome of the study will be a recommendation for short-term transit improvements.  Target completion is November 2009.
• Corridor MPO Strategic Communications Plan: This plan will improve the MPO’s communications about its work and role in planning the region’s future.  It will also enhance how the MPO engages the community and regional stakeholders.  Public involvement for Connections 2040 will be coordinated with this effort.  Target completion is March 2009.
• Tower Terrace Road Corridor Management Plan: This plan is to identify an east-west alignment which connects I-380 with Highway 13 along a Tower Terrace Road/35 Avenue/Radio Road alignment. This project is targeted to be completed in January 2010.
• River Corridor Development Plan: This is a multi-tasked project which included a River Front Master Plan, ten neighborhood plans, and preparation of Urban Design Principals.  As of fall 2009, the third phase of the project involves development of a Facility Master Plan.
• Iowa Statewide Urban Designs and Specifications (SUDAS): This design manual prepared by IDOT addresses a number of urban design elements including roadway design, recreation trails and sidewalks, parking lots, and signalization. This effort will need to be coordinated with the Corridor MPO LRTP (Connections2040) Roadway Typology work effort.
• I-380 Urban Corridor Study: This study is to establish conceptual horizontal and vertical geometrics for proposed mainline, interchanges, side-road, and frontage road alignments for the I-380 corridor improvements.
• IMAGINE8 All Trails Lead to Marion: A citizens committee will help raise funds, build awareness, and advise the Parks Department and Linn County Trails Association in the design and routing of a trail and green space along the central corridor of Marion. This initiative will also work toward connecting and expanding existing trails to adjacent trail networks and communities as well as improvements to existing trails.

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