This page is regularly updated with the latest information on the ConnectCR project.
Updates are also provided on the ConnectCR Facebook page here.
Both locations of this project are currently estimated to be completed in 2026.
If you have any questions, please email us at connectcr.org@gmail.com.
You can also view regular updates from The City of Cedar Rapids here and here.
With the temporary causeway back above water, work on the north side piers is moving along quickly! The north abutment and Pier 5 are nearly complete, and the contractor is now focused on Piers 3 and 4.
On the south side near Mt. Trashmore, progress is also underway—the south abutment is being built and should be finished within the next few weeks.
Behind the scenes, key pieces of the future bridge are taking shape at fabricator shops, including:
• Concrete and steel beams
• Steel pylon
• Decora
The river level is back up, forcing crews to move out of the river for the time being. The good news? Even though pier work in the river is on hold, construction activity continues off-site.
A lot of progress is being made behind the scenes as the components of the future bridge are being planned and built at fabricator shops. The concrete beams that will form the straight section of the bridge have been fabricated and are ready for delivery once the piers are in place.
Cedar River's water levels have dropped, and construction crews can once again use the temporary causeway in the river to continue pier work at the LightLine™ bridge site. All the rain this summer forced the crews to retreat from the river on and off for several weeks. Despite that, grading work has continued on the Mount Trashmore side of the river, and crews have been prepping the bridge's main beams at an off-site location, so when the piers are ready, the beams can quickly go into place.
The bridge abutment and first support pier are close to completion on the Alliant Energy LightLine™. See updated video here on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/OKZyj7Azijg
Recent rains have raised river levels, once again submerging the causeway. Despite the high water, progress continues on the west side near Mount Trashmore. Construction crews are actively grading the area in preparation for bridge work on that side of the river.
Construction continues on the NewBo side of the river as part of the Alliant Energy LightLine. Over near Mount Trashmore, crews are also moving dirt in preparation for work to begin on the west side of the river.
That means there’s activity on both sides of the river now.
On Tuesday, our team visited Cedar Lake for an on-site project update. Progress is moving right along — the white poles shown in the photos at the link below are tracking settlement for the new trail and jetty.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CR5hKaNqB/
View an update an update from The City go Cedar Rapids here.
LightLine™ (bridge) update: Recent rain has raised water levels on the Cedar River, but progress on the Alliant Energy LightLine™ remains right on schedule.
The temporary construction causeway is now submerged but will be used again once the river recedes.
See the latest drone video of the bridge site here: https://youtu.be/GJsNz7G8S40
LightLine™ (bridge) update: Crews are preparing for the third pier and the abutment appears close to completion. Watch the latest progress video here: https://youtu.be/zlSvMk-tPSc
LightLine™ (bridge) update: The temporary causeway now extends into the Cedar River, providing access for crews as they build the bridge. The contractor is preparing to construct the base of the bridge's piers.
See pictures on the ConnectCR Facebook page or the City of Cedar Rapids' construction pages (links above on this page.)
Construction at the Alliant Energy LightLine™ continues with a temporary causeway now about halfway into the Cedar River. The LightLine™ is located near Mount Trashmore. You can see the work being done on the future bridge from the Trashmore side of the river.
Recent rains are good for some of the construction at Cedar Lake. The rains help settle the new trail and the new fishing jetty on the lake's southeast side. These areas are scheduled for paving this summer.
Crews began creating a causeway in the Cedar River. This is the first step to build the LightLine.™ Video here: https://youtu.be/ewR30onvafI
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Alliant Energy LightLine™
News coverage:
Copyright © 2025 connectcr.org - All Rights Reserved.
