CITY OF DES MOINES
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Office of Traffic and Transportation
Updated: March 17, 2005

The following is a list of planned projects for the year 2005 construction season, which involve closing or restricting traffic along major streets. Advance notification of each project will also be done individually, closer to the beginning of project construction:

1. West M.L. King Jr. Parkway – Fleur Drive to SW 16th Street
   The north/south connection to Ingersoll Avenue was open in December of 2004. Work continues on the roadway and signature bridge from Fleur Drive to SW 16th Street. This section is scheduled to open in May.

2. SW 9th Street Viaduct over M. L. King Jr. Parkway
   Rehabilitation of this bridge is scheduled to begin in March. This project will require the SW 9th Street Viaduct to be closed for approximately 3 months. During that time, the SW 8th Street Viaduct will be converted to two-way traffic. Work is scheduled to be complete by this fall.

3. SW 9th Street and County Line Road
   Intersection improvements are scheduled to begin this summer. Turn lanes will be constructed and traffic signals installed at this intersection.

4. Park Avenue Widening – SW 42nd Street to SW 56th Street
   This project is scheduled to begin this spring and last through the end of the year. One-lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained. Left-turn lanes are being added as a part of this widening.

5. Watson Powell Jr. Way Modifications – 2nd Avenue to 7th Street
   This project includes conversion of the block between 6th Avenue and 7th Street to allow two-way traffic. Traffic signals will also be rebuilt. Work is scheduled to start this summer and be complete by the fall.
   
6. McKinley Avenue Reconstruction – Fleur Drive to SW 26th Street
   This project will lower and reconstruct the roadway. Work is scheduled to start this spring and be complete by the end of the year.

7. University Avenue Bridge over Des Moines River
   This project includes rehabilitation of the arches. Placement of equipment will require closure of an outside traffic lane at times during the work. Work is scheduled to begin this summer and be completed by the fall.

8. SE 6th Street Bridge over Des Moines River
   This project includes replacement of the expansion joints on the bridge. One lane of traffic in both directions will be maintained. Work is scheduled for late summer and is expected to last two months.

9. Urbandale Avenue – Merle Hay to the West City Limits
   This project will install curbs along Urbandale Avenue. The street will be closed to through traffic during construction.

10. 38th Street and Douglas Avenue - Traffic Signals
    This project will install traffic signals at 38th Street and Douglas Avenue. Work is scheduled to begin in the spring and be completed by the fall.

11. 7th Street and Park Street – Birds Run Storm Sewer
    This is a continuation of the Birds Run Storm Sewer project. The intersection of 7th Street and Park Street will be closed beginning March 21st, for approximately 2 months, during construction of the storm sewer.

Street Resurfacing Projects:

Scarification work will not be allowed during peak hours, 6:00 – 9:00 AM and 3:30 – 7:00 PM. Traffic in both directions must be maintained at all times. Paving will take place at night (8:00 PM – 6:00 AM) or during the weekend. The street may be closed during paving.

1. University Avenue - 48th Street to 55th Street
2. Park Avenue – SW 42nd Street to Fleur Drive
3. Fleur Drive – Railroad Viaduct to ML King Jr Parkway

Iowa DOT projects affecting City Streets:

1. 73rd Street to Cottage Grove Avenue on I-235
   The mainline traffic lanes on I-235 from 73rd Street to near Cottage Grove Avenue will be rebuilt. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during peak times. This project is scheduled for March through December of this year.

• 63rd Street (Hwy 28) at I-235
Work continues at this location. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on 63rd Street through the construction area. The project is scheduled for completion by fall of this year.

• 56th Street at I-235
The 56th Street bridge and ramps will be closed while the interchange is reconstructed, which is expected to last from March to December of this year.

• 31st Street / 28th Street at I-235
At 31st Street, a new bridge will be built over I-235 and a new eastbound exit ramp constructed to replace the existing exit at 35th Street. The bridge and ramps will be closed during construction. 28th Street under I-235 will be reconstructed. Work will begin after 31st Street has opened to traffic, then 28th Street will be closed. This project is scheduled for March through December of this year.

2. Keo Way at I-235
   The Keo Way interchange Phase 2 reconstruction includes building two new bridges over Keo Way for I-235 traffic lanes. The eastbound exit to Keo Way and westbound entrance ramp from 12th street will be closed during construction. This work is scheduled to begin in July and be completed by December of 2006.
3. 5th/6th/7th Interchange at I-235
   A new bridge at 6th Avenue was completed in 2004. Work at this I-235 interchange will continue this spring and summer. New bridges will be built for 7th Street and 5th Avenue this year. The 6th Avenue bridge has been converted to two-way traffic while the 5th and 7th bridges are being built. This project is scheduled for completion this summer.
4. E. University Avenue / Easton Blvd. at I-235
   Reconstruction began in September last year. Work includes building new eastbound roadway and bridges on I-235 from E 15th Street to Guthrie Avenue and extending Easton Blvd. Underneath I-235. Traffic will be maintained on E. University in each direction through the construction area.
   

If there are any questions concerning these major street restrictions or closures, please contact the City of Des Moines Traffic and Transportation Division at 283-4973.