City and Linn County adopt updated Trails and Bikeways Plan to expand separated routes and prioritize connections

The Cedar Rapids City Council on May 27 adopted the Linn County and Cedar Rapids Trails and Bikeways Plan and incorporated it into the city’s Envision CR planning framework.

City staff and public works presented the plan as an update to the city’s 2012 comprehensive trail plan (amended 2015). The new plan inventories more than 67 miles of constructed trails since 2012, establishes goals and 34 action steps across two major objectives—expand the network and maintain the existing system—and adds a stronger emphasis on separated facilities and mountain‑bike trails. Staff said public engagement (in‑person, online, pop‑ups and focus groups) informed priorities that emphasized connectivity, separation for user comfort, destinations and amenities such as trailheads and restrooms.

An implementation framework ranks proposed segments by priority using criteria including existing gaps, destinations and equity. High‑priority segments focus on neighborhood connections so residents can reach regional trails without driving. The plan provides segment descriptions, lead agencies and high‑level cost estimates to aid programming and MPO submittals; staff said local project details can change as funding becomes available or as design constraints are identified.

Councilmembers praised progress on trails and asked that the plan continue to guide MPO submittals and local project sequencing. The council adopted the resolution to incorporate the plan into Envision CR with broad support; staff said the plan will be used to prioritize projects for future funding rounds and implementation.