Improving the First Avenue, Collins Road intersection

Cedar Rapids, the Iowa Department of Transportation and the city of Marion are working to upgrade the busy intersection of First Avenue and Collins Road.

Tonight they will host a public information meeting about the construction project at the Lindale Mall Community Room, located on the north side of the mall at 4444 1st Avenue NE.

It's an aggressive plan for an already large intersection, city officials say, and not all drivers are sold on it.

The project is coming with mostly state and federal funding to the tune of about $7.5-million.

Driver say they would rather see that money go to improving roads Cedar Rapids drivers already use.

“I would say this intersection seems to be fine, and the roads are definitely not very good, a lot of roads are rough here in town,” said Dale Messer of Cedar Rapids.

“If this is as bad as it gets, I can live with it,” said Daniel Barbieri, a recent transplant from Maryland.

Residents are encouraged to stop by any time between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. today to learn more. They can meet the contractor and city construction staff, ask questions about the project and discuss the anticipated construction schedules and traffic impacts.

The improvement project is intended to reduce traffic delays, enhance vehicular and pedestrian safety and improve corridor appearance.

WHAT: Public Information Meeting about 1st Avenue & Collins Road Construction Project

WHEN: Wednesday, April 14, stop by any time between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Lindale Mall Community Room, located on the north side of the mall at 4444 1st Avenue NE