Marion Chamber ambassadors and community leaders will come together on Wednesday, Oct. 23, for a ribbon-cutting and lighting ceremony for the CeMar Trail Bridge project over Marion Boulevard.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 6:30 p.m. at the base of the gateway CeMar Trail Bridge that spans Marion Boulevard. Attendees are encouraged to park in the lot at Indian Creek Mall, 115 Marion Blvd.
The portion of the CeMar Trail within the Marion city limits will utilize easements from private property owners, city park land, and former railroad property.
Demolition of the former railroad bridge over Marion Boulevard began in 2020. In 2022, the pedestrian bridge opened, and last week, lighted pillars were installed on the bridge.
The colorful CeMar Trail Bridge incorporates artistic elements designed by local artist Cara Briggs Farmer of Synergy Metalworks. MediaQuest Signs was responsible for fabricating and installing the lighted columns, while Shoemaker and Haaland provided project design and engineering services in coordination with the artist.
Construction of the final phase of the CeMar Trail, which stretches south from Highway 100 to Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, is slated to begin in 2025 after easements have been obtained and construction of a sanitary sewer trunk line is complete.
