Crews will remove snow in Downtown Iowa City beginning at 2 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. Vehicles parked in tow-away zones will be towed beginning at 2 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16.
This page contains information on current road construction projects that are underway by the City. For all the information on an individual project, simply click on the name of the project. Projects are listed in alphabetical order.
If you have any questions about previous or future projects not listed below, call our Engineering Office at 319-356-5140.
Bradford Drive Water Main Replacement Project
Project Overview
This project includes replacement of water main on Bradford Drive between First Avenue and Arthur Street; on Louise Street between Bradford Drive and Wayne Avenue; and on Wayne Avenue between Wade Street and Arthur Street. The existing cast iron water main was installed in 1956, has had eighteen water main breaks in the recent past, and is in need of replacement. This water main replacement project will make the system more robust by adding an additional looped feed.
Additionally, this project will install new ADA compliant curb ramps along Bradford Drive and Wayne Avenue.
This project is in the final stages of design and is expected to have the bid letting in the early Winter of 2024, with construction in the Spring & Summer of 2025. All work on Bradford Drive is to begin at the end of the Spring semester and will have no impacts while Iowa City schools are in session.
Informational Meeting
Residents interested in learning more about this project are invited to a Public Information Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., in the P&G Room at the Mercer Park Aquatic Center, 2701 Bradford Drive.
Project Map
Contact
Alin Dumachi, Senior Engineer
City of Iowa City - Engineering Division
319-356-5143 ADumachi@iowa-city.org
Burlington Street Bridge - Building Better Connections
Burlington Street Bridge - Building Better Connections Project Overview:
The original Burlington Street bridge that spanned the Iowa River was built in 1860 and was Iowa City’s first non-toll bridge. Re-designed and re-constructed several times since, the current Burlington Bridge carrying eastbound traffic is due to be replaced. The westbound bridge will also be replaced and will remain owned and maintained by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). These bridges serve as a key connection point for the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ Kinnick Stadium, the CAMBUS facility, and several City of Iowa City facilities. Students, residents, football fans, emergency responders, and more cross Burlington Bridge each day, highlighting the importance of this critical community connection.
Ultimately, improvements will:
Modernize and replace Burlington Street east and westbound bridges with a single bridge.
Enhance roadway safety and mobility for all modes of transportation including transit, walking and biking.
Convert Melrose Avenue and Byington Road to accommodate two-way traffic.
Improve pedestrian connections over Riverside Drive and Grand Avenue.
Evaluate multiple intersections for safety enhancements and improvements.
Assess the existing dam for potential modifications or removal.
Project Map:
Project Schedule:
This project will occur in phases. Currently, work is occurring in a preliminary phase, which includes a planning study to assess ways to improve bridge design to accommodate vehicle, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic; consider ways to improve pedestrian connections over Riverside Drive and Grand Avenue; and assess the existing condition of the Iowa River dam for safety modifications or removal. The City of Iowa City and the Iowa Department of Transportation will work together on next steps after the study is complete. Future phases of the project include preliminary and final design prior to construction.
Get Connected
Sept. 25, 2025, Public Meeting
The City of Iowa City hosted a public information meeting on Sept. 25, 2025. Watch the meeting below.
Conceptual Alternatives Survey
Take a 15-minute survey and provide input on proposed conceptual alternatives for four key areas of the project, including Burlington Street Bridge, roadway and trail crossings, west campus, and the Burlington Street dam. The survey will be open until October 10.
Jan. 30, 2025, Public Meeting
The City of Iowa City held a public meeting on Jan. 30, 2025, on the Burlington Street Bridge – Building Better Connections project. Watch a recording of that meeting on YouTube to hear project leaders discuss the scope and timeline of the project.
Burlington Street features two bridges that cross the Iowa River, one carrying westbound traffic and the other carrying eastbound traffic. The eastbound bridge was built in 1915 and is over 100 years old and carries approximately 22,400 vehicles each day. Additionally, the bridges need to accommodate bus, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic as they serve as critical connections to Downtown Iowa City and the University of Iowa Campus. This project will also consider ways to improve pedestrian connections over Riverside Drive and Grand Avenue to increase access and compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act provisions.
Grand Avenue, Melrose Avenue, and Byington Road are being considered for geometric, multimodal, and traffic flow improvements including conversion of Melrose Avenue and Byington Road from one-way to two-way traffic. Additionally, multiple intersections will be considered for safety enhancements and other improvements.
What’s happening with the Burlington Street Dam?
During this phase of the project, the team will assess the Iowa River dam for the potential for safety modifications or removal. Since 1965, five fatalities have been associated with the dam.
How will the new bridge be constructed?
The current planning phase of the project will assess the feasibility of design options for a new Burlington Street bridge and evaluate repair or replacement options to the existing pedestrian bridges. As alternatives are evaluated, constructability will be a consideration but will not be determined. Once an alternative bridge design has been selected, the final design phase will detail construction timing and phasing.
Who owns the bridge?
Today, the City of Iowa City owns the eastbound bridge. This is the bridge in most need of replacement. The Iowa DOT owns the westbound bridge. Once re-built, the Iowa DOT will own and maintain the new, combined bridge.
How is this phase of the project funded?
Funding for the planning and design of the Burlington Bridge Replacement Project will come from a combination of federal grant funds and City of Iowa City sources. Replacement alternatives and associated costs have not yet been determined.
What is the schedule for the project?
The initial study phase of the project began in October 2024 and will be complete by the end of 2025. This current phase includes evaluating needs and constraints, developing replacement alternatives, and conducting studies and outreach to ensure that a new bridge will be both functional and accepted by stakeholders and the public. Once a preferred alternative has been selected, the design phase will follow. Construction could start as early as 2027.
Will bicycle and pedestrian facilities be part of the project?
The project team will evaluate existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities and planning documents to determine what improvements are needed. Safety enhancements to multimodal facilities, including transit, will be a key part of the planning process.
How can I provide input to the project and how will it be used?
You can provide input on the project by participating in public surveys, filling out a comment form, or attending public meetings. The project team will consider input and work to make accommodations that reflect stakeholder and community preferences that are feasible from a design, permitting, safety, and budget perspective.
Court Street Reconstruction Project
Recognizing Court Street as a collector street responsible for connecting the east side of Iowa City to the Downtown area, the City of Iowa City is planning to reconstruct Court Street from Muscatine Avenue to First Avenue. Throughout the project lifecycle, City staff and design consultant Foth, will maintain communication with the community via public meetings, project website, and social media updates, as well as mailers and newsletters. With design underway in early 2021, construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.
The Court Street Reconstruction Project includes the following:
Replace aging street and sidewalk pavement
Upgrade sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water main utilities
Tentative schedule
Design begins: Spring 2021
Construction begins: February 2025
Anticipated Completion: Fall 2027
December 2025 update
Weather permitting, Muscatine Avenue is expected to reopen to two-way traffic in December. At that time, the west leg of Court Street will reopen to Muscatine Avenue as a T-intersection with a stop sign on Court Street. Seventh Avenue is also anticipated to reopen at that time and Court Street will reopen from Seventh Avenue west to Fairview Avenue.
Traffic signal work is anticipated to continue into January. When the traffic signal at Muscatine Avenue and Court Street is operational, Court Street will fully reopen to vehicle traffic for the winter months. However, most of the sidewalk along Court Street between Grant Street and Seventh Avenue will not be installed until spring 2026.
Project delays
Original plans for the 2025 construction season called for Court Street improvements to be completed from Grant Street to Wales Street. However, various private utility conflicts encountered during construction delayed the project. Permanent roadway paving, storm sewer, water main, and sanitary sewer were installed from Grant Street through Seventh Avenue, but did not reach Wales Street. This work will instead be completed in the 2026 construction season.
We appreciate your patience as we work through this important project.
Pedestrian impacts
Temporary sidewalks will be placed on Seventh Avenue through the Court Street intersection along with curb ramps on the west side of the intersection to provide an accessible route to school and transit stops. Sidewalks along Court Street will remain closed between Muscatine Avenue and Seventh Avenue. Pedestrians traveling to Longfellow Elementary School and surrounding areas should continue to use the detour of Seventh Avenue and Center Avenue.
May 2025 update
Beginning Monday, May 12, 2025, eastbound Court Street will be closed between Seventh Avenue and B Street. This lane closure will facilitate the installation of a joint utility trench.
The westbound lane of Court Street will remain open and Seventh Avenue will remain open to north-south traffic. This lane reduction is expected to be completed by late May/early June 2025.
April 2025 update
The City of Iowa City would like the community to be aware of delays in the relocation of a private utility associated with the Court Street Reconstruction Project. Construction on the roadway will resume once the relocation is complete.
We appreciate your patience as we work through this important project.
Please note Thoma’s Meat Market remains open during construction. The business can be accessed via their parking lot off of Muscatine Avenue or by parking on side streets.
Public Information Meetings
The City has held several public information meetings to provide project details to community members. Below is a recording of the most recent meeting, held on Feb. 11, 2025.
Select the below map for a high-resolution version.
Pedestrian Detour
Beginning Feb. 12, 2025, the school crossing guard will be relocated to Muscatine Avenue and Seventh Avenue to assist students immediately before and after school.
Traffic Detour
FAQs
What are the benefits of the project?
A new concrete roadway will provide a safe travel surface for vehicles. Accessibility for pedestrians will be improved with new sidewalk and ADA compliant pedestrian ramps along both sides of Court Street. There will be upgrades to the water main, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer that will provide more reliable water and sewer services with lower maintenance.
How will I be able to access my home, business, or City High during construction?
There will be an impact, however, the designers will work to reduce the impacts to properties by phasing work. Short durations of driveway and sidewalk closures will be necessary for some sidewalk, utility installations, and reconstruction of the driveway approaches. Meetings will be scheduled with the residents directly accessing Court Street to discuss access impacts.
How long will my home or business be impacted?
The project is in the early stages of design and planning. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2025 and continue through to approximately the end of fall of 2027. Project phasing will be finalized as we get further along in the design process.
What will be the impacts be to me or my property?
Installation of new water and sanitary mains and services to the city right-of-way line will cause short periods of outages as well as require some excavation on your property, which will be restored as part of the project. Temporary construction easements will be necessary to complete work outside of the right of way. During construction, there will also be regular construction noise and dust during the work which will be limited to the hours of 7am to 10pm; the exception is for saw cutting of concrete, the timing of which is critical and may be required at off-hours.
Who will the contractor be?
The City received three bids on the project. The contract was awarded to All American Concrete, Inc., of West Liberty.
What might cause delays?
Excavating for a new roadway and utility installations may turn up a few surprises, such as abandoned and unknown utility lines. Also, unknown underground repairs to old infrastructure may need to be addressed if repairs are identified during construction work. Discoveries such as these take time to address. As with any construction project, the weather is a big factor that can cause delays at all phases of construction.
Will the sidewalks be moved further away from the street?
Yes, where feasible. On the north side of Court Street, the sidewalks are going to move approximately 3.5 feet to the north and on the south side the sidewalks will move approximately 2 feet to the south. View a diagram for details.
Where will my mail be delivered during the closure?
Temporary mailboxes for residents in the closure area (Muscatine Avenue to Seventh Avenue) are located on the south end of College Court. Mail will be delivered to these temporary mailboxes.
How will curbside collection work during the closure?
Residents in the closure area (Muscatine Avenue to Seventh Avenue) should put their carts out for collection as they normally would. Construction workers will label the carts and move them to a collection point by 8 a.m. the day of collection. Workers will then return the carts after collection.
Residents are advised to have their carts out by 7 a.m. to ensure collection.
Project Contact
Jon Resler, Project Engineer
City of Iowa City – Engineering Division
319-356-5189 JResler@iowa-city.org
Dodge Street Reconstruction Project
Dodge Street Reconstruction Project
North Dodge Street is currently planned for reconstruction between East Burlington Street and North Governor Street.
The project will involve replacement of sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and water main, along with new concrete pavement, sidewalks, retaining walls, driveway approaches, and traffic signals. The project will also implement speed reduction measures along the corridor, where possible.
The street construction work is planned to begin in the spring of 2027 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2028. Private utility relocations are anticipated to be completed in the second half of 2026.
Timeline for project
All of the stated times are tentative due to the project still being years away.
Preliminary and final design: Fall 2024 - Fall 2026
Bid Letting: November 2026
Construction: 2027-2028
Public Information
The first Public Information Meeting for the project took place on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. A presentation from that meeting can be viewed here.
For more information, contact Alin Dumachi, Senior Civil Engineer, at ADumachi@iowa-city.org or at 319-356-5143.
Gilbert Street Bridge Replacement Project
Project Overview
The existing Gilbert Street Bridge over Ralston Creek was built in 1972. The 2019 Structure Inventory and Appraisal of the bridge rated it as Structurally Deficient, and replacement was recommended. Longitudinal Cracking and concrete spalls exist in the bridge deck and the superstructure, the north end of the wearing surface at the approach joint is spalling and if filled with asphalt, requiring regular maintenance, and the bridge does not meet current safety standards due to the lack of a barrier rail between vehicular traffic and pedestrians. Minor erosion and bank slump is also identified along the streambank channel.
Bridge Reopening update (December 2024)
The Gilbert Street Bridge has reopened for public use in all vehicle lanes as of Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Improvements
Removal and replacement of the existing four-lane continuous concrete bridge with a new four-lane continuous concrete slab bridge designed to meet current local and state guidelines for traffic and pedestrians. The aesthetics will be improved to enhance the neighborhood and view of the creek.
Six-foot sidewalks are included on both sides with a barrier rail and handrail similar to the Rochester Ave/Dodge Street bridges.
Streambank stabilization will occur upstream and downstream of the new bridge using fabric formed concrete revetment and Class E rip rap.
Storm Sewer improvements to increase capacity from the creek/bridge to the Court Street intersection where ponding depths have topped the curbs during heavy rain events.
Water Main improvements immediately north of the bridge to remove the water main from the new bridge footprint in preparation for future improvements.
During construction, parking accommodations and drive-through access to Maiden Lane will be provided for local business and public use.
Construction Schedule
At the scheduled first project letting on March 21, 2023, no bids were received for the construction work originally scheduled for 2023. Due to the nature of the project, construction work will be unable to start in 2023. Therefore, the project was rescheduled for construction in 2024.
A second project letting was held on Sept. 19, 2023. At the conclusion of the bidding process, the City awarded the construction contract to Boomerang Corporation of Anamosa at the Oct. 3, 2023, City Council meeting.
A virtual Public Information Meeting was held on Feb. 28, 2024. , at 5:30 p.m. Watch that meeting below.
Construction: March 2024 to Late-Fall 2024
Construction may begin as early as March 18, 2024, with a late start date of April 1, 2024. Construction is expected to run until late-Fall 2024.
The City is offering an incentive for early completion. Disincentive/Liquidated damages will be assessed for completion occurring after the specified working days and calendar days as noted in the contract documents.
Due to the complexity of the project, the construction work will be broken up into several phases. All vehicle and pedestrian detours will be clearly marked with signage. All changes in vehicle parking will be also clearly marked and communicated with residents and businesses in the project area ahead of construction work commencing. A summary of each phase is provided below. Please be aware the project may be impacted by weather or other unforeseen conflicts that may cause construction delays. The schedule may change to accommodate these delays. Below is an approximate schedule and description of work.
Site Preparation: (late March to mid-April)
This phase plans to establish vehicular and pedestrian detour routes and construct the temporary driveway from the 485 Parking Lot to provide drive-through access to Maiden Lane. The Contractor can also mobilize equipment to the site and begin clearing and grubbing operations in preparation to remove the existing bridge. Some work will begin on Court Street requiring the closer of a section of Court Street. Gilbert Street and the bridge will remain open for use however delays are expected. Therefore, a Gilbert Street detour will be available to avoid delays.
Bridge Removal: (mid-April to late-May)
This phase will include the full closure of Gilbert Street as soon as the drive-through access is complete. The existing bridge will be removed and the storm sewer from the creek to Court Street will be completed. Court Street will be reopened for traffic use.
Bridge Construction: (late-May to late-September)
This phase will include the construction of the new Gilbert Street Bridge through opening of Gilbert Street. During the road closure, some additional public parking will then be provided on Gilbert Street, north of the bridge and south of Court Street for access to local businesses.
Site Restoration: (late-September to late-Fall)
This phase will wrap up the project and any remaining clean up items that do not affect traffic on Gilbert Street.
Detour maps for when the bridge is open (able to cross) and when closed (not able to cross) are available. The bridge is closed during the Bridge Removal and Bridge Construction phases of the project.
Due to the condition of the bridge as noted in the 2019 Bridge Inspection, the City qualified for Federal-aid through the City Bride Program. This program is administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation and provides reimbursement of 80% of eligible costs associated with the bridge replacement up to a limit of $1 Million. The remaining costs will be funded with General Obligation (GO) Bonds.
The project replaces a trail bridge in a section of the Iowa River Trail just north of Benton Street. The project also installs a segmental block retaining wall.
Construction is set to start spring of 2025 and end fall 2025.
A pedestrian detour will be in use, using sidewalks on Riverside Drive and Benton Street.
A public meeting to discuss this project will be held from 6-7 p.m. July 23, 2024, at Helling Conference Room in City Hall.
Kitty Lee Road - Functional Design Project
Kitty Lee Road - Functional Design Project
Project Summary
This project is for producing a Functional Design for the reconstruction of Kitty Lee Road between Highway 1 and its northern terminus including the intersection with Highway 1.
The Functional Design is not a detailed construction plan. Instead, the Functional Design is part of a necessary process to gain a better understanding of how Kitty Lee Road could be improved to connect to any future development in the area. This includes determining which improvements are needed for Kitty Lee Road to be used as an adequate secondary access for the future Carson Farms development that is currently in the planning phase.
Presently there are no definite plans to reconstruct Kitty Lee Road. It is understood that if future development occurs, it may facilitate the need to improve Kitty Lee Road to provide access and support for the development. General improvements to Kitty Lee Road would include new concrete street pavement, stormwater management and drainage infrastructure, new sanitary sewer, and new water mains.
Informational Meetings
The public is encouraged to share thoughts and concerns with Iowa City staff about the proposed Functional Design. Serval special public meetings are planned to be held for those interested to meet with City Staff to learn more about the project.
Kitty Lee Road resides adjacent to the City of Iowa corporate city limits. Due to the proximity to Iowa City, any improvements on Kitty Lee Road must meet the requirements of Iowa City street design standards should later the road be ever be annexed. Annexation is a real possibility for the future of Kitty Lee Road. However, any road improvements to Kitty Lee Road do not directly facilitate annexation.
What happens after the completion of the Functional Design?
The Functional Design is archived after completion. The purpose of the Functional Design is to have a guide ready to use in the event Kitty Lee Road needs to be reconstructed or improved in the future to support development. If future development occurs, a detailed Construction Design will then be made for Kitty Lee Road using the concepts reviewed in the Functional Design.
Will my property be annexed?
Annexation is independent of the Functional Design for Kitty Lee Road. Annexation is a real possibility for the future of Kitty Lee Road. However, this process is driven by requests for annexation in a specific area. A decision would be made for annexation based on voluntary and involuntary properties’ contributing acreage within the area desired for annexation. Annexation could occur before, during, or even after Kitty Lee Road is ever reconstructed.
When is Kitty Lee Road to be reconstructed?
The future development of the surrounding area is what is driving the need for reconstruction. The developments would need a better road to handle the increase in vehicle loading and traffic if it needs a connection to Kitty Lee Road. However, if development starts elsewhere then it is possible Kitty Lee Road may not initially see much of any improvements.
The project includes the reconstruction of North Gilbert Street from just south of the intersection with Kimball Road and to and including the intersection with Brown Street. This section of street will be replaced with new concrete pavement and curb. Existing brick street sections will be restored back to the original bricks at the end of construction. The project also includes the undergrounding of aerial utilities, new sanitary sewer, new storm sewer extensions, minor watermain adjustments, new sidewalks and retaining walls, new concrete driveway approaches, and some regrading work. The final steps of the project will include site restoration including grass seeding and general construction cleanup.
Tentative Schedule
Relocation and Undergrounding of Private Utilities: October 2024 - End of 2024
Major Street Construction Start Date: Spring 2025
Major Street Construction End Date: Fall 2025
Grass and Plantings Final Restoration and Minor Construction: Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
Before major street reconstruction activities commence, private utilities such as electric and telephone/fiber will be relocated and undergrounded. The objective is to eliminate overhead lines and prepare for the street reconstruction work. There may be temporary closing or restricted lanes during this activity.
Starting in Spring 2025, different sections of North Gilbert Street and the intersection with Brown Street will be closed and/or have restricted lane traffic to accommodate reconstruction activity. The City anticipates major street construction will be completed in Fall 2025 with final restoration work (grass seeding, mulching, patching, and other final cleanup activities, etc.) wrapping up in Fall 2025 and may extend into Spring 2026. North Gilbert Street will be closed at times to facilitate paving and utility crossing. All properties will be notified in advance of timeframe potential limited access.
Upcoming Public Information Meetings
It is in the City’s interest to effectively communicate with property residents and the general public regarding the project proposed construction, the use of the street travel, and the needs of the community. Therefore, several meetings are planned to provide the community with the opportunity to learn about the planned improvements and provide comments.
First Public Information Meeting was held in November 2022 (Topic: Concept Discussion and Comments)
Traffic Calming Program: A new webpage is currently under construction. A link to this new webpage will be posted when available. In the meantime, feel free to contact Sarah Walz by phone at 319-356-5239 or by email at swalz@iowa-city.org for any questions.
Third Public Information Meeting was held in September 2024. (Topic: Utility Undergrounding Plan Discussion, Final Improvement Plan Discussion, and Comments)
Private aerial utilities will be relocated underground providing a more aesthetic look and improving reliability service by providing better protection from severe weather
The new concrete roadway will provide a safer travel surface for vehicles. A new street curb and gutter will help convey stormwater to new storm water intakes in the street which will help reduce stormwater eroding and overwhelming the traffic paths.
Both sides of the street is anticipated to be constructed with 5-foot wide sidewalks that will be provide ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant pedestrian pathways. The new sidewalks will provide better connectivity to other sidewalks along the adjoining streets.
Parts of the intersection of North Gilbert Street and Brown Street will be restored with reinstalling the brick pavers with a new concrete curb and gutter over a new concrete base while preserving the historic character of Brown Street.
New sanitary sewer mains and manholes will be installed, replacing the existing aging system below the street
How long will my home (or business) be impacted?
At this time, it is anticipated it is anticipated private utility relocation and undergrounding activities will likely take place in the Fall of 2024 and be completed by the end of 2024. Major street reconstruction activities are planned to occur in the Spring of 2025 and last till the Fall of 2025. During major construction, the street will periodically need to be closed or have reduced access depending on the activity being done. When access or service will be impacted, the resident will be notified ahead and will be provided with more specific information on the duration of the impact.
How will I be able to access my home (or business) during construction?
Due to the nature of the proposed construction activity, homes with direct access to North Gilbert Street will be impacted, however, the project engineers will work to reduce impacts to properties by staging work were possible and provide installation of temporary gravel access drives. Short durations of driveway closures will be necessary for some sidewalk, utility installations, and reconstruction of the driveway approaches. A meeting will be scheduled with individual residents and businesses directly accessing North Gilbert Street to discuss access requirements and impacts.
What will the impact be on me or my property?
Some common or typical impacts include:
During construction, which is normally limited to the hours of 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, there will be typical construction noise and dust. However, due to the critical timing for concrete saw cutting, there may be times concrete saw cutting may be required to be done during off-hours.
Construction is intended to be limited to the City Right-of-Way as much as possible. However, there may be locations along the project where additional space is needed for the proper and safe construction of the proposed improvements. In these areas a temporary construction easement may be required.
There may be existing plantings, trees, bushes, retaining walls, and other things in the City Right-of-Way that may need to be removed to make room for the installation of the improvements. Any removals will be communicated with the property owner ahead of time.
Installation of new sanitary and storm sewer is not expected to directly impact service to property owners, however, should during the construction an issue is discovered (for example: a water service line was accidently damaged during excavation) there may be some service impact. Any non-emergency or anticipated impacts in service will be communicated with the property owner prior to the service being impacted.
Who will the contractor be?
After the project design is complete, the City will advertise for Contractors to review the plans and submit bids for construction. After bids are received, the bids will be reviewed, and City Public Works staff will recommend award to the City Council based on the bid results. This process is anticipated for the Winter of 2024/2025
What might cause delays?
Excavating for a new roadway and utility installations may turn up a few surprises such as abandoned and unknown utility lines. As with any construction project, the weather is a factor that can cause delays at all phases of construction.
Project Contact
Tyler Olson – Civil Engineer
City of Iowa City – Engineering Division
319-356-5416 TOlson@iowa-city.org
Rochester Avenue Reconstruction Project
Rochester Avenue serves as an important arterial within the City of Iowa City. The street pavement along Rochester Avenue from N 1st Avenue to the bridge over Ralston Creek provides low ride quality, requires frequent maintenance, and has reached the end of its useful life. The City of Iowa City is planning to reconstruct Rochester Avenue from Ralston Creek to N 1st Avenue, including the Rochester Avenue and N 1st Avenue intersection to create a more user-friendly roadway corridor. The project will also implement aspects from the City’s complete streets policy. Throughout the project lifecycle, City staff and design consultant Snyder & Associates will maintain communication with the community via the project website and social media updates.
The Rochester Avenue Reconstruction Project includes the following
Pavement reconstruction from Ralston Creek to N 1st Avenue. The intersection of N 1st Avenue and Rochester Avenue is included with the pavement reconstruction.
Improvements to the sidewalk
ADA curb ramps
Buffered bike lanes
Storm sewer
Sanitary sewer manholes
Tentative Schedule
Construction begins: August 2022
Construction ends: 2024 construction season
November 2024 update
Weather permitting, Rochester Avenue will fully reopen to vehicular traffic by the end of the day on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.
Some work remains to be done, including completing sidewalks, backfill, seeding, and the installation of pedestrian crossing buttons. However, the reopening of Rochester Avenue marks the substantial completion of this project.
August 2024 update
Traffic patterns will shift next week at the intersection of First Avenue and Rochester Avenue, marking the latest stage of the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction Project.
Weather permitting, construction will move to the east side of First Avenue and Rochester Avenue on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on First Avenue, allowing for north-south traffic. Additionally, the west side of the intersection will reopen to traffic, allowing for westbound travel on Rochester Avenue.
For eastbound travel or those approaching the intersection on Rochester Avenue from the east, a detour using Post Street and Tudor Drive will be posted.
Work on the east side of the First Avenue/Rochester Avenue intersection includes water main, traffic signals, roadway paving, and sidewalk improvement work. Surface restoration will be completed after paving has been installed.
This work is the final stage of construction and is anticipated on continuing through September. The project is anticipated to be completed in fall 2024.
May 2024 update
Progress continues to be made on the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction Project.
Work has temporarily been halted due to the discovery of private utilities in the work area. The utility companies have been notified and both City staff and the contractor have been working intently to resolve the issue.
When construction resumes the contractor is scheduled to begin installing water infrastructure such as water main and fire hydrants. New traffic signals and paving will be installed near the end of this stage prior to moving construction to the east side of the intersection. Sidewalks and seeding will also be installed toward the end of this stage of construction.
Areas that need additional grading, seeding, or otherwise repaired will be required to be completed prior to the end of the project. These areas include those that were constructed prior to the start of this year.
The intersection of First Avenue and Rochester Avenue remains partially open and is expected to remain partially open during the duration of the project, which remains expected to be complete in fall 2024.
February 2024 update
Weather permitting, work on the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction project is anticipated to resume in mid-March with the fourth - and final - phase of the project.
Phase 4 includes water main work, roadway reconstruction, sidewalk improvements, and new traffic signalization at the First Avenue and Rochester Avenue intersection. The First Avenue/Rochester Avenue intersection will be constructed one half at a time to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction on First Avenue. The west half of the intersection will be constructed first, as will temporary paved turn lanes from First Avenue to Rochester Avenue to the east.
The proposed detour route will include First Avenue, Court Street, Seventh Avenue, and Rochester Avenue. Rochester Avenue between Seventh Avenue and Rita Lyn Court will remain open to local and school traffic only. Construction is anticipated to continue until fall 2024.
December 2023 update
Weather permitting, Rochester Avenue will reopen between Rita Lyn Court and First Avenue beginning Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Minor construction activities will continue in the area, but are not planned to impact traffic in the area. All detours associated with the project will cease to be in effect during this pause in construction activity.
Rochester Avenue will remain open to traffic until the beginning of Phase 4 of the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction Project in spring 2024. Phase 4 will entail work on the intersection of Rochester Avenue and First Avenue.
As of Dec. 12, the 11-Rochester transit route will no longer detour and will return to its normal route until the beginning of Phase 4.
October 2023 update
Work on Stage 3 of the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction project is expected to begin Wednesday, Oct.11, 2023.
Stage 3 includes work on Rochester Avenue from Rita Lyn Court up to - but not including - the First Avenue intersection. The intersection will remain open during Stage 3. Stage 3 is tentatively scheduled to be completed by late November, at which time all of Rochester Avenue will reopen for the winter months.
With the completion of Stage 2, Rochester Avenue will reopen to Rita Lyn Court. The intersection of Rochester Avenue and Ashwood Drive will remain closed until sidewalks can be installed.
Work on Stage 4 - the Rochester Avenue/First Avenue intersection - is scheduled to begin in Spring 2024.
August 2023 update
With paving expected to begin on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, Stage 2 of the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction project is nearly complete.
Stage 2 includes work on Rochester Avenue between Rochester Court and Rita Lyn Court. Once paving on Rochester Avenue is complete, sidewalks and driveways between Rochester Court and Rita Lyn Court will be installed. This work is anticipated to be complete in mid-September, at which time the Stage 2 project area will reopen to traffic.
Until Stage 2 is complete, an increase in construction traffic in and around the project site should be expected, traffic delays are possible, and the current detour using First Avenue, Court Street, and Seventh Avenue will remain in place.
Upon completion of Stage 2, Stage 3 will begin. Stage 3 includes Rochester Avenue from Rita Lyn Court up to - but not including - the First Avenue intersection. The intersection will remain open during Stage 3. Stage 3 is tentatively scheduled to be complete by mid-November, at which time all of Rochester Avenue will reopen for the winter months.
Work on Stage 4 - the Rochester Avenue/First Avenue intersection - is scheduled to begin in Spring 2024.
May 2023 update
Weather permitting, the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction project will enter Stage 2 on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
Stage 2 shifts the scope of the project east to include reconstruction of Rochester Avenue between Rochester Court and Rita Lyn Court. Rochester Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Rochester Court to Rita Lyn Court. The Ashwood Drive and Windsor Drive intersections will be closed to traffic during Stage 2 of construction. Access to residential properties will be maintained with the exception of driveway access for short periods of time. Impacted property owners will be notified in advance of these closures.
With the completion of Stage 1, Rochester Avenue will reopen to traffic west from the intersection with 7th Avenue. The posted detour for Stage 2 will include N 1st Avenue, Court Street, and 7th Avenue.
Weather permitting, Stage 2 is scheduled to finish at the end of August.
March 2023 update
Weather permitting, construction crews will be on-site performing various activities beginning with underground pipe work between Rochester Court and Windsor Drive. Traffic control will remain the same as last fall with the detour route using Ashwood Drive, Glendale Road/East Jefferson Street, and Parsons Avenue. The Montrose Avenue and Rochester Avenue intersection will be closed once again upon resuming construction.
The contractor is tentatively scheduled to complete reconstruction up to or near the intersection of Rochester Avenue and N First Avenue in 2023; however, that schedule is subject to change. The project is scheduled to be completed within the 2024 construction season. Updates will be provided throughout the duration of the project.
As the project progresses there will be changes to the traffic control and detour routes. Please continue to check the project website, City of Iowa City social media, and City press releases for updates.
The suggested detour has been announced for the Rochester Avenue Reconstruction Project. The project is set to close Rochester from Ralston Creek to Windsor Drive beginning the week of Aug. 15, 2022.
The detour bypasses Rochester by using Parsons Avenue, Glendale Road, and Ashwood Drive.
Motorists are to take note of this construction work and allow extra travel time or seek an alternate route during this time period.
Bus route detours
When the project starts, Rochester Avenue will be closed between Montrose Avenue and Windsor Drive. The Rochester Avenue bus route will use Jefferson Street to Glendale Road to Ashwood Drive for inbound and outbound travel to get clear of the work zone. There will be temporary bus stops at three intersections along Jefferson, Glendale, and Ashwood for customers to use as alternate stops.
FAQs
What are the benefits of the project?
A new concrete roadway will provide a safe travel surface for vehicles. Accessibility for pedestrians will be improved with segments of new sidewalks and ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps. There will be upgrades to the water main, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer structures that will provide more reliable water and sewer services with lower maintenance.
How will I be able to access my home, business, or Regina High School during construction?
There will be an impact, however, the designers will work to reduce the impacts to properties by phasing work. Short durations of driveway and sidewalk closures will be necessary for some sidewalk, utility installations, and reconstruction of the driveway approaches. Temporary access to residences may include side street parking, parking on temporary surfaces (example: gravel), or other planned parking areas.
How long will my home or business be impacted?
The project is finishing the design phase. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022 and continue through to approximately December of 2023. Project phasing will be finalized in the coming months. The design will attempt to reduce property impacts as much as possible, however, some impacts are inevitable. Installation of public utilities (i.e. sanitary sewer structures and water main) may cause brief property access limitations and service interruptions. Service interruptions are usually brief, generally lasting less than half of a day. During construction when there are paving operations underway, access impacts to property could last up to two weeks. The timeline of these impacts also varies dependent on weather and if the Contractor can perform work with the given weather conditions.
What will be the impacts be on me or my property?
Installation of new water main, sanitary sewer structures, and sidewalks in the city right-of-way line will cause short periods of outages and may require some excavation on your property, which will be restored as part of the project. Tree removal is also included in the project. Tree removals were reduced as much as possible, but some removals are necessary to install the public improvements. Temporary construction easements will be necessary to complete work outside of the right of way. During construction, there will also be regular construction noise and dust during the work which will be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the exception is for saw cutting of concrete, the timing of which is critical and may be required at off-hours.
Who will the contractor be?
Boomerang Corp. of Anamosa, Iowa.
What might cause delays?
Excavating for a new roadway and utility installations may turn up a few surprises, such as abandoned and unknown utility lines. Also, unknown underground repairs to old infrastructure may need to be addressed if repairs are identified during construction work. Discoveries such as these take time to address. As with any construction project, the weather is a big factor that can cause delays at all phases of construction.
Questions? Contact the City Engineer overseeing this project: Justin Harland, Senior Engineer, at 319-356-5154.
Taft Avenue Improvements Project
Project Overview
The City of Iowa City seeks to improve Taft Avenue between American Legion Road and Lower West Branch Road. The improvements will include reconstructing the roadway as an urban street with a concrete curb and storm sewer, a 10’ wide paved sidewalk, watermain and sanitary sewer extensions, and bicycle lanes. A similar project was recently completed on the adjacent American Legion Road. Design of the project will continue into 2026. Private utility relocations will likely start in 2026 with construction planned for 2027 and 2028.
Project Map
Tentative Schedule
Public meetings
Nov. 21, 2024
Sept. 30, 2025
Spring 2026
Winter 2026/2027
Private utility relocations: 2026
Complete final design: late summer 2026
Construction: 2027-2028
Project Benefits
Improved driving conditions
The new concrete roadway will provide a better driving surface and will reduce the public impact and the cost from maintenance as the annual chip seal will no longer be required. The existing narrow shoulders and ditching will also be replaced with new curb and gutter as well as storm sewer.
Multimodal accommodations
The 10-foot-wide sidewalk and bicycle lanes will provide a safe location for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel. In addition, these improvements will better connect the various side streets and existing trails in the area.
Provide for current traffic and future development
Traffic along Taft Avenue has increased in the past 20 years. While there is no definitive schedule for future development, the area east of Taft Avenue is anticipated to develop. Any new development will likely bring with it an increase in traffic. The improved roadway will better handle existing and future traffic volumes. In addition, provisions are included for future sanitary sewer and water main connections.
Underground utilities
The private aerial utilities in the area are planned to be moved underground. Locating the
utilities underground improves aesthetic appeal and reliability as they are better protected from severe weather.
Public Information Meetings
Several public information meetings will be held for the Taft Avenue Improvements Project. The
purpose of these meetings is to both share information with property owners and residents as well
as for the City to receive feedback on the proposed improvements. Increased communication helps
residents and property owners know what to expect and for the City to understand any potential
comments and concerns regarding the project.
Public Information Meeting #1 – November 21, 2024
Preliminary Plans & Property Impact Discussion.
The preliminary plans and property impacts were shared with the group. The meeting allowed
residents and property owners the opportunity to review the proposed improvements and impacts as well as to ask questions and provide feedback to City and Consultant staff.
Public Information Meeting #2 – September 30, 2025
Plan Update and General Staging Discussion.
Revised project plans will be shared, including the general construction staging plans. This
meeting will be another opportunity for residents and owners to review the plans, including
changes, and ask questions and provide feedback.
Public Information Meeting #3 – Spring 2026
Construction Plan Discussion.
This meeting will share an updated construction schedule and more detailed construction staging and traffic control plans prior to the start of major construction.
Public Information Meeting #4 – Winter 2026 / 2027
Construction Plan Update Discussion.
This meeting will be similar to Meeting #3 and will provide an update on the construction schedule
and staging. It will also provide information that will give residents and property owners an idea
of what to expect during construction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will the City look to acquire any of my land?
The City will look to acquire land for the construction of the project. There are three types of
land acquisition that may occur. The first is a Permanent Acquisition to establish the 95-foot-wide
right-of-way for the roadway corridor. The second is a Temporary Construction Easement to allow the contractor space for proper and safe construction. The last is a Utility Easement that will provide a location for utilities to be located. A third-party property valuation service is used to value
properties for each type of acquisition. Each property will have varying acquisition needs, with
some requiring no acquisition and some requiring all three. An exhibit with specific information for
each property was available at Public Information Meeting #1. As the design is finalized, impacts to
properties could change and those changes will be communicated to property owners at subsequent public information meetings and during property impact negotiations.
When will construction occur?
Most construction will occur in 2027 and 2028. This is a change to the schedule presented at the
first public information meeting where that initial schedule had construction starting in 2026. Some
work (such as utility relocation, tree removals, etc.) may occur prior to this window, and some
(grass seeding, plantings, etc.) may occur after this window. There will be typical construction
noise occurring during working hours, which are normally restricted to the hours of 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. However, there may be noise outside of these hours due to the critical timing of saw cutting new concrete pavement.
How will construction affect access to my property?
The project will have a traffic control and staging plan in place to reduce the impacts to nearby
homes and businesses during construction. While subject to change during the design process, the
high-level plan is to close portions of Taft Avenue to through traffic and enact a detour for the
through traffic. It is likely that construction will be concentrated south of Court Street one year
and north of Court Street the other. Property access will be mostly unchanged for those who do not have a direct connection to Taft Avenue. For those who do have a direct connection, the contractor typically provides a temporary access route. The City and Foth will discuss access needs with those who are affected.
Will construction impact features on my property?
There may be existing features on properties that are affected, particularly if they are close to
the right of way. Some of the potentially impacted features include trees, shrubs, fences, and
gardens. Each property will have differing impacts due to existing conditions, land acquisition, and
the adjacent proposed improvements. The anticipated impacts were shown on the property exhibits shared at Public Information Meeting #1. As the design is finalized, impacts to properties could change and those changes will be communicated to property owners at subsequent public information meetings and during property impact negotiations. One-on-one meetings can be scheduled for any owner or resident who has additional questions or would like to meet in person at their property.
Which contractor will construct the improvements?
Once the design is complete, the City will advertise the project for contractors to review the
plans and submit construction bids. The submitted bids will be reviewed and City staff will
recommend award to the City Council based on the bid results. This process is anticipated to occur
during the fall of 2026.
Will my property be assessed to fund these improvements?
This project will be funded through the Capital Improvements Program and no costs will be assessed to adjacent properties.
Dodge Street Reconstruction Project