Project overview

Connecting Aurora is the first-ever citywide multimodal transportation master plan to look holistically at the transportation needs throughout Aurora. It aims to identify ways to better connect our residents, employees,
and visitors to various destinations across the city.

Connecting Aurora will:

• Create a vision for the city’s transportation system (bikes, pedestrian, transit, freight, and vehicular traffic).
• Guide the development, design, and delivery of future multimodal transportation infrastructure projects and programs.
  

• Improve safety and provide more convenient ways to travel for people of Aurora. Study Area - Click to Enlarge

What does multimodal mean?

Multimodal is a transportation term that means all the different ways people move from point A to B. This could be your feet or wheels, bicycle, scooter, skateboard, hoverboard, your car, a bus or train, or box truck. You name it. We want to make sure this plan considers all types of transportation modes and people of all backgrounds and abilities.

What’s a transportation mode?

Transportation mode refers to the way in which passengers and/or goods can be transported.

Why do we need a multimodal transportation master plan?

• A single, encompassing vision and plan for Aurora's multimodal transportation system is needed.
• This plan will build on the progress of the Aurora Places comprehensive plan, which established strategic goals related to transportation improvements.
• A cultural and paradigm shift in transportation is occurring, requiring Aurora to be innovative and forward thinking in how we think about mobility and transportation.
• Implementing performance metrics and tracking systems will help Aurora realize changes and monitor progress.
• This transportation master plan will be the basis for the city’s Capital Improvement Program.
• The city can plan for new technologies and transportation services, both within city operations, and innovations within the private market.
• Growth and diversification of Aurora needs to be supported by an evolving transportation network.
• Safety improvements and connectivity enhancements can be proactively identified and built.

The purpose of Connecting Aurora is to create a complete transportation system for people of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and income levels. The plan will create a vision for Aurora’s transportation system and identify necessary projects, policies, programs and standards for all modes of transportation, including bike, pedestrian, transit, freight and vehicular traffic consistent with this vision and the city's overall development vision expressed in the adopted comprehensive plan Aurora Places.

Schedule and process

The city is developing Connecting Aurora over the next two years and will present a final draft at the end of 2025. Throughout the process, we will work closely with you to ensure we are headed in the right direction and that the outcomes reflect our community's needs.

DISCOVER — Fall 2023 to Spring 2024

The Discover phase is where we learn about our challenges and opportunities. In this phase, we’ll learn about community habits and the loves, wants, and needs of members of the community. As we gather information, we will learn about the people, the city’s infrastructure, and what transportation needs demand our attention.

Key Efforts & Milestones:

• Data Collection and Analysis
• Future Trends Analysis
• Initial Engagement with Stakeholders and the Public

SYNTHESIZE — Spring to Fall 2024

Building on the strong foundation from the Discover phase, we will begin to seek answers for what the future of the city’s multimodal system should be. What is the vision of the Aurora’s transportation system? How well does the transportation infrastructure we see today function for its users? How ready is the infrastructure for the needs of the future?

Key Efforts & Milestones:

• Transportation Vision, Goals, and Objectives
• Scenario Development and Analysis including Travel Demand Modeling
• Second Engagement with Stakeholders and the Public

VISUALIZE — Fall 2024 to Spring 2025

Working with the community, we will analyze how we can help address transportation needs in the near-term, mid-term and long-term. We will develop the solutions through the lens of forward thinking, innovation, best practices, and demographic data. We will identify multimodal networks that provide safer, more comfortable, and convenient transportation options for people of all background, ages, abilities and income levels, while allowing for growth and development and a brighter and sustainable future.

Key Efforts & Milestones:

• Multimodal Network Analysis and Project Development
• Develop New Street, Sidewalk, and Trail Design Standards
• Third Engagement with Stakeholders and the Public

REALIZE — Winter 2025 to Fall 2025

To realize the project objectives and recommended solutions, we will prioritize projects and policies based on impacts on the goals and objectives. We will work with the community to create capital improvement programs and funding strategies.

Key Efforts & Milestones:

• Project Identification and Cost Estimating
• Project Prioritization
• Policy and Program Recommendations
• Final Plan and Citywide Transportation Information System
• Final Engagement with Stakeholders and the Public

Building on previous planning efforts

Many studies conducted over the years in Aurora have targeted specific areas of the city to gather public input and provide guidance for transportation needs, resulting in new or improved ways to get around.

• The existing plans provide a starting point for Connecting Aurora.
• Safer and convenient multimodal options are important to the city and community.
• With significant growth and a long list of projects/needs, Connecting Aurora will need to set priorities for a phased implementation strategy.
• Aurora has an opportunity to be a leader in the region.

Aurora Places presents a vision for the future of Aurora along with long-range goals and activities to address concerns and make aspirations a reality in the city. Guiding plan principles:

1. Strong Economy
2. Diverse and Equitable City
3. Housing For All
4. A Healthy Community
5. A Thriving Environment
6. Easy Mobility and Active Transportation: “An easy-to-use transportation network with multiple choices for travel supports a strong economy, healthy community and flourishing environment.”
7. Authentic Aurora

Aurora demographics and transportation facts

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