Des Moines Invited to Stand Up for Transportation

April 6, 2015

Events are being organized across the country on April 9, to send a collective and powerful message to Congress: It’s time for a long-term investment in America’s transportation systems.

DART, along with the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Urban Land Institute Iowa, Snyder & Associates and McClure Engineering, invite the public to Stand Up for Transportation on April 9, in Downtown Des Moines:

Open Street Event

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on 12th Street between Grand Avenue and Locust Street

Attendees can enjoy live music, grab lunch from food trucks and sign a DART bus in support of transportation.  Rain location: Organizational booths will move into the Des Moines Central Public Library

Panel Discussion

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Des Moines Central Public Library, 1000 Grand Avenue

Panel members will discuss the current state of our transportation systems and the importance of passing long-term federal funding to enable long-term planning.

Guest speaker: Congressman David Young

Panel members:

  • Ben McLean, Ruan Transportation
  • John Cinealis, The Toro Company
  • Jake Christensen, Christensen Development

Moderator: Larry James Jr., Faegre Baker Daniels

Stand Up for Transportation Day is a national day to advocate for sustainable and reliable transportation funding before the current legislation expires on May 31, 2015. Long-term federal funding is critical to bring our roads, bridges and public transit services into a state of good repair and allow for more effective growth planning of our transportation systems.    

“We join cities throughout the nation saying we need a long-term investment from Congress if we want to be prepared for increasing use of our highways and public transportation,” said DART Commission Chair Steve Van Oort. “We hope our citizens come out and enjoy the festivities on April 9 to show their support.”