Transportation Plan
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Transportation Plan Transportation Transportation Plan 6 » Introduction Council Bluffs enjoys a high level of Roadways that provide access to local Coordination local and regional mobility thanks to the and regional amenities, including the with the LRTP & Overview following components of the transporta- Missouri Riverfront, Omaha, and the tion system: unique western Iowa landscape; The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency This section covers the multi-modal trans- (MAPA) maintains a 2035 Long Range portation system within Council Bluffs and » » Two interstates that collectively carry Regional transit service that provides Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Omaha/ the surrounding area. The section includes almost 80,000 vehicles per day through access to important destinations Council Bluffs region that is the primary recommendations that aim to build upon the City, and connect Council Bluffs by throughout the community; guide for investment in highways, roads, the strengths of the existing system and interstate facilities to regions both north » trails, and transit. The recommendations meet the evolving needs of residents, A regional bike path system that to south and east to west; includes 39 miles of trails; of Bluffs Tomorrow 2030 aim to build businesses, and industry. on the projects identified in the LRTP » Rail corridors that provide access to » Comprehensive sidewalk networks and consider how they will impact future substantial industrial areas that produce that connect residents to businesses, land use, growth and development, and distribute goods throughout the schools, jobs, and other important infrastructure investment, and more. The Midwest and United States; assets; and Future Transportation Plan included in » US Highways 6 and 192 that provide » Access to two airports that provide this chapter illustrates the locations of efficient mobility throughout the private, public, and freight service to the improvements that will significantly alter community; region and beyond. the regional transportation system in Council Bluffs. BLUFFS TOMORROW 2030 57 Transportation Plan Transportation Streets & Functional Interstates & Freeways Arterials Collector Streets Local Roads Classification Interstates are divided highways of two Principal arterials are generally wider, Collector streets prioritize access to The local street system is made up of all Highways The street network in and around the lanes or more, in each direction, that pro- faster and have limited access along the property over mobility, and are more streets not belonging to one of the above- Council Bluffs’ system of streets and City is made up of a system of various vide a high degree of service to through route to allow travel to and through an locally-oriented. Collectors connect local mentioned roadway classes. Local streets highways is the most visible aspect of the functionally classified streets. The City of traffic, are designed with no direct access area. These roads are regional in nature streets to arterials to create a network of are generally shorter than other roadway overall transportation system. It includes Council Bluffs is a partner organization in to individual uses on abutting properties, and link interstate, intra-state and regional traffic movement. types, and have frequent controlled a series of interstates, arterials, collectors, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency and generally have grade-separated activity centers. They are built to accom- intersections. Compared to other and local streets that provide regional and (MAPA), the regional governing planning intersections. modate the highest traffic volume and roadway types, local streets are narrower local access to various destinations. agency that covers the greater Omaha longest travel routes. with slower speeds through areas such as metropolitan area. The City should residential neighborhoods. Local streets continue to work with MAPA to maintain provide direct access to properties, and a hierarchy of streets that support the accommodate shorter trips to adjoining efficient and safe movement of traffic in collector or arterial streets. the region. This will offer several benefits, The overall City-wide infrastructure including an increase in the overall effi- footprint, regardless of functional clas- ciency of the roadway system, appropriate sification, should continue to be closely levels of access to different types of land evaluated and support cost-effective and uses, the protection of residential areas sustainable growth. from commercial and industrial traffic, and opportunities for non-motorized facilities to be integrated into the system. The City should continue to evaluate and implement street designations and design standards. The area is currently served by the following hierarchy of roadways: 58 BLUFFS TOMORROW 2030 The proposed 1st Avenue Complete Street includes vehicular lanes, Bus Rapid Transit right-of-way, and bicycle and pedestrian paths. The corridor includes the existing 1st Avenue Plan Transportation corridor (1) and the opportunity for a long-term connection to Downtown (2). 29 iver Missouri R Avenue G N 8th St 8th N N 25th St 25th N S 35th St 35th S N 28th St 28th N N 16th St 16th N N 21st St 21st N Complete Streets design elements should St 32nd S Complete Streets 1st Avenue Complete St 40th N be tailored to the needs and constraints E Kanesville Blvd Complete Streets is an approach to Street Corridor Avenue A of each individual roadway, but could W Broadway multi-modal planning and design that The 1st Avenue corridor represents an 6 W Broadway include: 1 2 balances opportunities for both motorized excellent opportunity to implement the 2nd Ave and non-motorized transportation. This » Reduction in the number or width Complete Streets concept. As 1st Avenue approach considers all modes of trans- transitions from a vacated rail corridor to 5th Ave Downtown of travel lanes on existing streets to Council Bluffs portation, removing the singular priority accommodate on-street bicycle lanes, a multi-modal transportation conduit, it of vehicular traffic and balancing that should incorporate facilities that would landscaping, parking or expanded 9th Ave with the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, sidewalks; accommodate vehicles, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. The illustration to the right transit users, motorists, and people of all 29 ages and physical abilities. The City should » Wide sidewalks offset or protected from proposes a cross-section that includes travel lanes by vegetation, parked cars, adopt and implement a Complete Streets pedestrian and bicycle areas, vehicular Proposed 1st Avenue Complete Street Location policy that would allow decision-makers or other features; travel lanes, and dedicated Bus Rapid to plan, design, and construct streets to » On-street parking that serve surrounding Transit lanes. This cross-section would run accommodate all anticipated users. uses, acts as a natural traffic calmer, and from approximately 36th Street to 16th buffers moving vehicles from cyclists Street, though vehicular traffic would ROW ROW and pedestrians; be prohibited through the Jefferson High School campus. In the long-term, » On-street bicycle lanes; 1st Avenue could be extended with an » Crosswalks designed to accommodate overpass over the Mid City rail corridor all ages and abilities of pedestrians, with to provide direct access to Downtown potential pedestrian crossing refuge Council Bluffs. areas and curb extensions to minimize crossing times and increase safety; » Vehicular traffic calming techniques; » Decorative landscaping that enhances aesthetics and safety; and » Transit facilities, infrastructure and technologies that provide more direct access for riders and result in more reliable and predictable services. 5’ 5’ 11’ 11’ 12’ 7’ 10’ 5’ Build-to Walk Planting Drive Lane Drive Lane Streetcar Planting & Trail Walk Build-to Line Bus Shelter Line 66’ Right-of-Way Proposed 1st Avenue Complete Street Elevation BLUFFS TOMORROW 2030 59 The existing I-29/West Broadway interchange will be replaced with a proposed interchange that will provide direct access from West Broadway to Playland Park. Transportation Plan Transportation Existing I-29/West Broadway Interchange Locally Preferred I-29/West Broadway Interchange Interstate The City has been involved with the Ways that this interstate reconstruction » Reconstructed ramps reflect capacity- Regional Mobility In order to strengthen regional mobility, planning and proposed implementation project is beneficial to Council Bluffs appropriate design and current-day the City should: The Council Bluffs area is served by two Improvements of this project. As these efforts continue include: standards. interstates, I-80 which is a major national One of Council Bluffs’ unique transporta- and come to fruition, the City should » Evaluate the existing system for potential In order to maximize the benefits of these east-west interstate system, and I-29 which tion assets is its proximity to two major continue to work with IDOT and MAPA » Potential full access interchange at West extensions to identified industrial or improvements, the City should: provides access north-south. These two interstates, east-west I-80 and north-south to best utilize these improvements for the Broadway and I-29 that provides the commercial growth areas; and interstates are also supported by I-480, a I-29. The Iowa Department of Transporta- transportation network within and around ability for Council Bluffs traffic to get to » Utilize land use planning