COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT) – Council Bluffs officials say they have some ideas on how to add more transportation options between their city and Omaha.
They’re looking for residents’ help on how to go about it.
It’s conducting its Linkages Study, which aims to identify multimodal and transit connections between the two cities’ downtown areas.
Council Bluffs chief of staff Brandon Garrett said enhancing transportation options is crucial for promoting economic growth and accessibility between the two communities.
Some options include connecting to the future Omaha streetcar system or ORBT lines, and even building a new river crossing which could include bicycle and pedestrian lanes.
However, officials want to hear from the community, so they’re hosting a public workshop next Wednesday at the Council Bluffs Public Library.
Garret said it’s the first of three the will host, and it’s important to hear which routes people would prefer.
“Maybe also weigh in on certain modes,” Garrett said. “Do you prefer bus rapid transit—for example, the ORBT system in Omaha—would we like an extension on the ORBT system? Or is streetcar preferred, as Omaha is pursuing in Midtown and downtown?”
The linkages study costs around $500,000 and is entirely funded by the Iowa West Foundation and a Surface Transportation Block Grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA).
If you cannot make it to that meeting, you can weigh in with the online survey tool the city launched Wednesday.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
