Overview

The project

ConnectCR is revitalizing the urban Cedar Lake and building a pedestrian/trail bridge near the base of Mount Trashmore. Named the Alliant Energy LightLine™, the bridge connects the NewBo and Czech Village neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Our mission

The project

“ConnectCR will improve the quality of life in Linn County and beyond by expanding connectivity for recreation, improving under-utilized community assets, leveraging flood mitigation, and creating an iconic symbol for the city."

Connecting

The project

Connecting

ConnectCR is all about connections:

*connecting Cedar Lake to downtown

*connecting neighborhoods and the city with the Alliant Energy LightLine™

*Enhancing the Cedar Valley Nature Trail's connection to two cross-country trails: the American Discovery Trail and the Great American Rail-Trail.

About ConnectCR

A Game-Changer For Cedar Rapids

ConnectCR unites two transformative community initiatives in Cedar Rapids: the revitalization of Cedar Lake, north of downtown, and the creation of an iconic pedestrian and trail bridge—the Alliant Energy LightLine™—to the south.
It’s one visionary project with two landmark locations, designed to strengthen connections across our city.

Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz calls ConnectCR “a game-changer.”

“It’s that quality-of-life amenity that Cedar Rapidians are going to be drawn to. We need these kinds of special places for our residents, for our businesses, and for our visitors.”

Making Connections

The Alliant Energy LightLine™ will unite the NewBo and Czech Village neighborhoods—and, more broadly, the east and west sides of Cedar Rapids. Spanning the Cedar River at the site of a historic railroad bridge lost in the 2008 flood, it transforms a place of loss into one of connection and renewal.

Cedar Lake, just north of downtown between Interstate 380 and the Cedar River, is a natural sanctuary in the heart of the city. Home to deer, foxes, pelicans, turtles, and more, it symbolizes Cedar Rapids’ commitment to restoring and celebrating urban nature.

Together, the bridge and lake strengthen the 3rd Street biking corridor and advance a vision of a more connected, active community. ConnectCR also enhances the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, linking Cedar Falls to Iowa City, and ties Cedar Rapids into two coast-to-coast routes—the American Discovery Trail and the Great American Rail-Trail.

More than infrastructure, ConnectCR is an investment in our shared future—positioning Cedar Rapids at the heart of America’s growing trail and recreation network.

Recent Developments

Overview

The project

The project

The project

Our mission

The project

The project

Connecting

The project

Connecting

About ConnectCR

A Game-Changer For Cedar Rapids

Making Connections

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