Street & Highway System
Federal Functional Classification System
The CIRTPA works with the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to maintain the Federal Functional Classification System in the CIRTPA planning area. This classification hierarchy identifies the street and highway segments eligible for federal aid. There are four main classifications: principal arterials, minor arterials, collectors, and local streets.
Regional Road Corridors
The CIRTPA identified several important regional road corridors that are likely to begin development before 2030. These corridors are currently in a preliminary stage, and their feasibility and exact locations are yet to be determined. These corridors do not represent the final location of any future road.
The purpose of these corridors is to inform surrounding governments and citizens of the possible development of a major road within these areas. These corridors will continue to be studied and are subject to change based upon any future findings. The regional road corridors include:
- Northwest Bypass – Located in Dallas County, this corridor connects Interstate 80 in the western MPO planning area to Iowa Highway 17 in northern Polk County;
- Northwest Connector – Located primarily in the Des Moines Area MPO planning area, the Northwest Connector provides access from the Rider Corner of Interstates 35/80 to the west near Dallas Center and Iowa Highway 44;
- Northeast Beltway – Located in Polk County, the Northeast Beltway connects Interstate 80 in the eastern portion of the Des Moines Area MPO planning area to Interstate 35 in the northern portion of the Des Moines Area MPO planning area and from Interstate 35 west to Polk City and Iowa Highway 141 in the Des Moines Area MPO planning area. A portion of this corridor is located within the CIRTPA’s planning area in Polk County; and,
- Pella to Interstate 80 Corridor – Located in Marion and Jasper Counties, the Pella to Interstate 80 Corridor provides a direct link from the City of Pella to Interstate 80.