Marion — Leaders in Marion visited the nation’s capitol this week to lobby for the Tower Terrace Road Project.
Mayor, Nick AbouAssaly, was joined by several city leaders in Washington to help push for federal grant funding. They say that funding will help them fund the remaining segments of Tower Terrace Road.
A press release outlining the project Friday included statements about lobbying process:
This week, Marion representatives made their way to Washington, D.C., to lobby for federal grant funding on behalf of the cities of Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins and Marion.
Two joint applications with the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization, Linn County and the cities of Marion, Hiawatha, Cedar Rapids and Robins were submitted recently, one in February requesting $25 million in RAISE funding and the other in May requesting $38 million in MPDG Rural Transportation funding. RAISE award announcements are anticipated the week of June 24 and MPDG award announcements are expected later this fall.
Completion of this project will improve existing infrastructure, expand access and connectivity, increase motorist safety and advance the overall sustainability and efficiency of the region. It will directly serve over 1,000 acres of mixed-use development. Included with the applications were 117 letters of support from local businesses and regional partners.
As was shared during the meetings, for every dollar spent, there is an estimated $7.33 benefit for the communities included in the application.
Right now, the project calls for an 8.3 mile route between Interstate 380 and Highway 13 in Linn County. The total remaining project cost sits at $56 million.
City leaders say the project will help ease pressure off of some of the existing streets in the corridor, like Boyson Road and East Robins Road.
You can read more about the Tower Terrace Road Project here.
