Approval was granted late last week to move forward with a location study on a transportation corridor connecting the Red Rock Area to Interstate-80.

Pella Public Works Director Denny Buyert tells KNIA/KRLS News that the notice to proceed was approved on Friday by the Federal Highway Administration and the Iowa Department of Transportation. The location study would take approximately 12 months and would locate five to six prospective routes.

Buyert adds that proceeding with the study is only the next step in what could be a 10 to 15-year project and says more public meetings and input will be involved in the future.