CONNECTGO REGIONAL STRATEGY OVERVIEW Setting the Stage for a Bold Transportation Future

We’re moving forward.

The need for more equitable access to opportunity, The partnership, known as ConnectGO, has been continued economic growth and enhanced quality of life gathering perspectives from people throughout the region requires a change in how we approach transportation since January 2019 to better understand our greatest in Greater Omaha — which is why the Greater Omaha needs and to prioritize strategies to address them. We Chamber partnered with Metropolitan Area Planning aim to make our metro area more vibrant, equitable and Agency (MAPA), Metro Smart Cities and Metro Transit to accessible for everyone. develop a new regional transportation strategy.

Based on community input, the coalition developed an actionable strategy including 10 priorities for policy, programs and specific transportation projects for the next 10 years, plus an added focus on maintenance:

ORBT Multimodal Bridge Starting two additional lines Building a new bridge between Omaha and (like the ORBT), with the next line Council Bluffs south of the current Interstate 480 running north and south. bridge for a trail and public transit.

Local Bus Improvements Traffic Signal System Running buses more frequently, improving bus Accelerating smart traffic signal installation stops and expanding the bus system into areas in Omaha and surrounding communities, currently lacking service. in which the street signals actively respond to traffic demand. Urban Core Mobility System Creating a coherent transportation system for Major Roadways Greater Omaha’s urban center in downtown and Strategically widening roads and refining midtown with an urban circulator, more two-way truck routes. streets, shared parking districts and new bikeways. Transportation Demand Management Streetscapes Working with employers on transportation plans Improving the streets and sidewalks in five historic and commuting options for their employees. commercial districts. Maintenance Sidewalks Continuing Omaha’s new street rehabilitation Filling in 100 miles of sidewalk gaps near program and supporting other jurisdictions in elementary schools and along transit routes. maintenance efforts.

On-Street Bike Lanes and Trails Constructing 100 miles of new bike lanes ConnectGO will continue to elevate local throughout the region and adding 50 additional conversations on transportation needs while miles of trails. working with our community partners to turn these ideas into reality.

Contact: Stephen Osberg, Director, Transportation Development | Greater Omaha Chamber | [email protected]

ConnectGO.org CONNECTGO REGIONAL STRATEGY OVERVIEW Setting the Stage for a Bold Transportation Future

It’s go time.

Guided by a shared vision, ConnectGO’s partners and other local transportation organizations are currently spearheading multiple projects and planning efforts to improve our roads, buses, bike lanes, sidewalks, neighborhoods and more.

Here are some of our big wins to date:

• K-12 Rides Free pilot program • Regional Transit Authority authorization In partnership with Metro Transit, students in grades In 2019, the legislature passed the Regional kindergarten through 12 ride free on all buses, Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, which allows for the MOBY and ORBT. So far, more than 11,000 students creation of a regional transit authority, so the transit have participated. The program will run through authority can more seamlessly provide service across June 1, 2022. the metropolitan area. • Market-to-Midtown Bikeway pilot • Employer-based transportation report and solutions Omaha’s first protected bikeway launched in July 2021, The ConnectGO “Getting to Work” report, created a partnership between Bike Walk Nebraska and Metro in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Smart Cities, among other partners. The bikeway, on Agency (MAPA), Verdis Group and the Greater Omaha Harney Street from 10th Street to Dewey Avenue, will Chamber, shares data on how employees got to work continue for the next 18 months. Metro Smart Cities before the pandemic, during 2020 and how they would will collect feedback from users to determine the prefer to get to work in the future, if they had options ideal design of a permanent bikeway and how to meet including transit, bicycling, carpooling and walking. anticipated demand for more, and longer, protected The study is based on surveys that targeted employees bikeways around the region. at more than 20 organizations in the metro. This fall, the team will begin the process of designing and implementing employer-based transportation solutions.

We’re far from done. Here are the next steps:

• The City of Omaha will develop a bicycle and • Metro Transit’s MetroNEXT initiative will develop pedestrian master plan to identify specific projects an implementation plan for regional transit, set to be that support biking and walking throughout the city. completed in early 2022. Based on public input, this plan will identify short- and long-term improvements The , • Park Omaha Parking & Mobility Strategic Plan to guide the transportation agency for the coming developed in partnership with Walker Consultants, years. 24th Street has already been identified as the presents a strategic, unified parking plan for Omaha’s next priority corridor. urban core that supports downtown development, better utilizes existing parking assets and minimizes • Finalize a funding strategy and complete the number and cost of new parking stalls. engineering for the urban core mobility system. • Thanks to the leadership of the city of Council Bluffs, • Prepare to use federal dollars from the anticipated 1st Avenue, a former railroad corridor, will link infrastructure package and budget. ConnectGO Council Bluffs with downtown Omaha. A new trail will has already partnered with Congressman Don Bacon, run along 1st Avenue from 16th Street to 35th Street. the City of Omaha, the University of Nebraska The project is known as FIRST AVE, an acronym Medical Center, the Metropolitan Area Planning that stands for: Furthering Interconnections, Agency (MAPA), the business Revitalization, Streetscapes, Transportation, and district and Metro Transit to pursue six federal Aesthetics for a Vibrant Economy. earmarks and a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant.

Contact: Stephen Osberg, Director, Transportation Development | Greater Omaha Chamber | [email protected]

ConnectGO.org