Connections between Council Bluffs, Omaha, and other regional destinations support employee commuting, business, and recreation. These connections are currently made predominantly by automobile, with limited transit and pedestrian or bicycle options available. Past studies have identified opportunities for economic development, increased attraction of professional talent, and improving active and healthy lifestyles.

The outcomes of this PEL are identifying purpose and need, the range of possible alternatives (with subsequent screening of unreasonable alternatives), and proposed evaluation criteria for connections to existing and future multimodal networks within the proposed alternatives study area.

In the Fall of 2023, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA), the City held a Request for Qualifications and conducted formal interviews with two firms. Felsburg Holt & Ullevig was chosen by the selection committee and has submitted an agreement to provide engineering and other services for the work necessary for said PEL. 

It is anticipated that this study will be funded by the Iowa West Foundation, without this funding the project will not move forward.