Answers: Daily Commute

How would you improve your daily commute?

The Iowa Department of Transportation is conducting a survey for commuters along the I-380 corridor, but we'd like to hear from all Eastern Iowans. If you could snap your fingers and change anything about your daily commute, what would it be?

FROM OUR INBOX

Interstate 380 needs a rest stop between Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. If the trek warrants a weigh scale, a rest stop is justified.

Dave M.

North Liberty

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If I could snap my fingers and improve my commute in the corridor, I would find additional quick, blockage free alternatives to what has become a very congested and messy I-380 situation. This is especially so in the winter. It is not uncommon to find two lanes, each direction, blocked with bumper-to-bumper traffic behind semis that are trying to pass each other in inappropriate situations.

Dan D.

Solon

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I'd like to have a speed pass, and go as fast as I want. Or, I'd like to have a lane that is for unlimited speeds. Drivers could pay a fee and get an annual pass.

Frank M.

Cedar Rapids

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My first suggestion is to add an interchange at Forevergreen Rd. and I-380 in North Liberty. This is a topic that has been discussed in political goals and is even approved in the Iowa DOT's five-year plan, but the need for this infrastructure is immediate. This interchange will serve and positively impact three growing communities directly.

North Liberty currently has only the Penn St. interchange, meaning all North Liberty commuters (and even many northern Coralville commuters) must travel the entire length of North Liberty on Hwy 965 or other two-lane roads before reaching Penn St., which is current only a two-lane road. Coralville will benefit by giving a direct access to the northern part of the community.

My second suggestion is to improve the non-existent public transportation between the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids areas. A passenger rail service between these metro areas would greatly reduce traffic congestion throughout the corridor. A high-speed train that serves various communities along the corridor would benefit business and entertainment in the corridor.

My third suggestion is to complete and connect the recreational trail network between the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas. Currently, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Cedar River Trail and Hoover Nature Trails combine to link Cedar Rapids to Ely, but no further south. Currently, it is unrealistic and unsafe for bikers to be regularly riding on the highways that eventually lead to the Ely trail head. This is especially true in the dark, which is when many cyclists would be starting their commute.

Matthew C.

North Liberty

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Stop building roundabouts on major thoroughfares. They are difficult for large trucks to navigate, and remain confusing for most local drivers. Instead of functioning as intended, to smooth traffic flow, they are creating bottlenecks and too many near-misses.

Roundabouts can be tolerated by most drivers in residential areas, but placing one at the intersection of Hwy 30 and Hwy 1 in Mount Vernon was a horrible mistake, especially given its size and the flow of semis and farm equipment in the area.

Susan C.

Solon

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My midmorning commute can be done by Cedar Rapids city bus, but that is not an option at night. If I can't bum a ride, my options are to pay for a cab, bring my bike or walk through somewhat unsavory portions of town. There is also too long of a wait between buses.

Michael T.

Cedar Rapids

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FROM FACEBOOK

' Lydia F.:

I'd take an express bus from North Liberty to downtown Iowa City with no stops; 20-minute ride. The bus could leave at 7:30 a.m. from the North Liberty Rec Center. Same thing on the way back - one at 4:30 p.m. and one at 5 p.m. with no stops.