What is an MPO?
The Grand Island Area Metropolitan Organization (GIAMPO) is the official MPO that serves as the formal transportation planning body for the Grand Island metropolitan planning area.
Federal law requires that any Urbanized Area with a population over 50,000 people to have a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that carries out multi-modal transportation planning (like a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)).
GIAMPO is a consortium of the City of Grand Island, Village of Alda, Hall County, Merrick County, Nebraska Department of Transportation, and Central Nebraska Regional Airport.
GIAMPO is the first MPO designated by the State of Nebraska in over three decades.
2050 LRTP Overview
A Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is a strategic document that formalizes the vision for the regional transportation system in Grand Island for the next 25 years.
The LRTP will be developed through public input and a technical analysis of how all modes of transportation perform. GIAMPO will analyze how the system operates today, as well as forecast conditions for the next 25 years. The final LRTP will include strategies and a prioritized list of projects based on funding, technical analyses, and community preferences of Grand Island residents.
The transportation system includes:
- Highways
- Streets
- Transit
- Freight
- Bicycle
- Walking / Rolling
Take our survey to share your thoughts on our transportation system!
2045 LRTP Completed Projects
These roadway and trail projects identified in the 2045 long range transportation plan have been successfully funded and constructed.
2045 Completed Roadway Projects
| ID | Project | Location | Project Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Potash | North Rd to Claude Rd |
Roadway enhancements including:
|
| 2 | North Rd | Capital Ave to Highway 2 | |
| 3 | North Rd | 13th St to Capital Ave | |
| 4 | North Rd | 13th St to Old Potash Hwy | |
| 5 | North Rd | Old Potash Hwy to Westgate Rd | |
| 6 | Old Potash / Claude Rd | North of Faidley to Old Potash Hwy | |
| 7 | Claude Rd | Faidley Ave to State St | |
| 8 | Old Potash | Claude Rd to Webb Rd | |
| 9 | Five Points Intersection | Broadwell Ave / State St / Eddy St | Roundabout and pedestrian enhancements |
Completed Trail Projects
| ID | Project | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | JBS Extension Trail | E Sutherland St to E Swift St |
| 11 | Cedar Hill Trail | Prairie Commons to Ring Rd Roundabout |
| 12 | Cedar Hill Trail | Prairieview St to north of Rae Rd |
Roadway Crash Frequency
Understanding and addressing key safety challenges is essential for developing an LRTP. For this reason, our team conducted a thorough review of crash data.
This map highlights the top 20 intersections in the region with the highest number of crashes reported between 2019 and 2023.
Understanding these hotspot areas allows GIAMPO to prioritize safety improvements in the plan through recommended engineering studies or projects, policy changes, or public education.
Click to enlarge.
Congestion Areas
Traffic congestion affects travel time reliability, economic productivity, environmental sustainability, and overall quality of life.
This map identifies areas experiencing the highest levels of traffic congestion in the region, based on an analysis of current and projected traffic volumes. Addressing traffic congestion is a key focus of the LRTP.
Level of Service (LOS)
The quality of traffic flow decreases as the level of service decreases.
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Level A
Highly stable, free-flow condition with little to no congestion. Delay: <10 seconds/vehicle -
Level B
Stable, free-flow condition with little congestion. Delay: 10 - 20 seconds/vehicle -
Level C
Free-flow condition with moderate congestion. Delay: 20 - 35 seconds/vehicle -
Level D
Approaching unstable condition with increasing congestion. Delay: 35 - 55 seconds/vehicle -
Level E
Unstable, congested condition. Delay: 55 - 80 seconds/vehicle -
Level F
Stop and go condition. Delay: >80 seconds/vehicle
Public Transit Services
CRANE Public Transit is the public transit system for the urbanized area of Grand Island, Nebraska, which provides portal-to-portal demand response service to the general public.
Hall County Rural Transportation provides public transit service to areas outside the urbanized area boundary of Grand Island and Alda, which includes Wood River, Cairo, Doniphan, and the unincorporated areas of the county.
The LRTP will include an assessment of current CRANE operations and the GO GI Transit Transit Development Plan.
GO GI Transit Development Plan
The GO GI Transit process analyzed the current CRANE Public Transit system and developed potential phased recommendations based on current and anticipated future needs. Ultimately, GO GI Transit resulted in an implementable and fundable plan for the next 20 years to assess the short- and long-term needs of transit service in the Grand Island community.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Network
Understanding the region's bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is crucial for creating a transportation plan that promotes accessibility and safety for all users.
This map illustrates existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the region, as identified through community feedback, local planning documents, and transportation studies.
This map helps identify where investments can enhance mobility options and support sustainable transportation goals.
Transportation Priority Areas
A set of goals will be established for the 2050 LRTP. Learn more about the topics or characteristics below, and then take our survey to let us know which three you would like the LRTP to focus on for Grand Island's transportation future!
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Safety
Reducing the risk of harm to users of the Grand Island area transportation system. -
Accessibility
The ease of connecting people to goods and services in the Grand Island area, as well as providing choices for different modes of transportation (car, bike, walking, bus, etc.) -
Economic
Focus on transportation as a means of supporting and promoting the economic vitality of the Grand Island area -
Resiliency
The ability of the transportation system to be adaptable and continue providing service when significant impactful events occur -
Efficiency & Reliability
Provide for the efficient and reliable movement of people, services, and goods -
Public and Active Transportation
Support transportation modes such as walking, biking, rolling, driving, etc.
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Placemaking
Integrating the transportation system with land use to provide transportation facilities that fit in with their surrounding neighborhoods and development, and create well-designed places and complete communities -
Innovation
Incorporate emerging trends and technologies into the transportation system -
Preservation
Maintain the existing transportation system in a state of good repair, and plan for a system that can be sustained into the future with reasonably expected funding sources -
Equity
Provide transportation systems that benefit and include all communities and stakeholders and limit disproportionate impacts on neighborhoods with access to fewer opportunities -
Sustainability
To enhance the performance of the transportation system while protecting and enhancing the natural environment
LRTP Schedule
The 2050 LRTP will be developed over the next year and a half. During that time, the public will be invited to provide their comments, questions, and concerns at multiple key milestones.
Phase 1
- January 2025 - Focus Group Meetings and Existing Transportation Conditions Report
- January to February 2025 - Survey 1
- February 2025 - Public Visioning Workshop
- February to March 2025 - Future Transportation Conditions
- March 2025 - Goals & Objectives
- April 2025 - Project Alternatives
Phase 2
- May 2025 - Pop-Up Booth
- May to June 2025 - Survey 2 and Project Priorities Workshop
- September 2025 - City Council & County Board Presentations
Phase 3
- October 2025 - Draft LRTP Open House and Completion
- October to December 2025 - Draft LRTP Published
- February 2026 - Final LRTP Approved