The region is invited to attend a series of sessions beginning Thursday, Feb. 12, to find out more about an update to the Thrive 2055 Quad Cities Long-Range Transportation Plan that the Bi-State Regional Commission says includes exciting changes.
Among them is the potential for passenger rail service to the Quad Cities.
The initial open house is 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Boys and Girls Club, 1122 Fifth Ave., Moline. It is the first of five in-person open houses and one online session.
Attendees can learn more about how the updated draft transportation plan connects the community and gets residents where they want and need to go, Bi-State said in a news release.
A virtual session also is planned.
The remaining sessions are set for:
- Noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive.
- 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 – YWCA Rock Island, 513 17th St.
- Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 – Virtual meeting on Zoom. Click here or call (309) 205-3325. Meeting ID: 897 6424 7638. Passcode: 343474
- Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 – Davenport Fairmount Library, 3000 N. Fairmount St.
- 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 – The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave., East Moline.
- Residents are encouraged to provide input by Saturday, Feb. 28.
Residents can review the draft 2055 plan here. To review the existing report, find it online here and on Facebook here.
Regional transportation priorities are established every five years in a long-range plan. It examines economic and population changes and provides insights into the needs of the region that allow communities to plan for future growth, Bi-State said.
Exciting changes ahead
The updated Thrive 2055 will “bring some exciting changes to roads, bridges, bus routes, trails, sidewalks, and freight system,” Bi-State said. With more than 2,000 miles of roadways and nearly 100 transit vehicles to maintain, the regional planning authority said the Quad Cities also needs to consider how to do that efficiently and effectively.
“As we look ahead, it’s essential to consider whether our local economy will keep focusing on logistics, food production, manufacturing, and health care,” the Bi-State release said. ”Together, we can plan for sustainable transportation systems that benefit our community for years to come.”
Additional feedback can be provided online here through Feb. 28.
The Thrive 2055: Quad Cities Long Range Transportation Plan will be considered for recommended adoption at a public hearing. It will be at the Quad Cities Transportation Policy Committee’s noon, Tuesday, March 24 meeting.
For more information or for comments on these planning efforts, contact Bi-State Regional Commission at (309) 793-6300.
