Project of the Week: 18th Avenue SW

It won't be long before Cedar Rapids has a new West Side Public Library.

Thanks to a nearby road project, residents will have a much easier time reaching it.

The City is currently working to rebuild 18^th Avenue SW, from Wiley Boulevard to Edgewood Road. The rebuilt road will be a key access point for the new Cedar Rapids Public Library Busse Branch, which is being constructed between 18^th and 20^th Avenue SW.

Improving access

While the road surface will be far better for motorists, the project will also bring big benefits for pedestrians and cyclists.

Until now, 18^th Avenue had no sidewalks, no bike lanes, and no shoulder. During the new project, the old roadway on 18^th Avenue will be removed, and a new concrete curb and gutter roadway will be constructed. Bike lanes and sidewalk, with lighting and trees, will also be added, along with new water main and storm sewer.

"We are providing safer access for area residents, and that is what has me the most excited about this project," said project manager Rebecca Lesnik. "Adding storm sewer eliminates the need for ditches, which gives us more room to widen the road to include bike lanes and sidewalks. Those sidewalks will be ADA compliant, including a mid-block crossing. And we will have lighting all along the length of the road, which we didn't have before."

Finding solutions

Right now the water main and retaining wall along 18^th Avenue are under construction. As each segment of water main is completed, workers test it to ensure proper function. Removal of the old pavement is also underway.

To reduce impacts to several homes on private property, the sidewalk was modified from a typical setback and retaining walls will be constructed in two locations. The improvements to the road and to drainage will also help with current and future development along the 18^th Avenue SW corridor.

The project was made possible through the Paving for Progress program, which uses a strategy to rehabilitate, proactively preserve and fully restore our community's roadway and sidewalk system. Cedar Rapids voters passed a one percent sales tax for street repair that went into effect in 2014; since then, the program has invested more than $260 million into fixing more than 131 miles of local streets, many of them residential.

Better Roads Ahead

18^th Avenue SW is also benefiting from the Better Roads Ahead program, which aims to support businesses and organizations affected by construction projects. In planning for 18^th Avenue SW, engineers held many meetings with residents and businesses in order to minimize the impact as much as possible.

Supporting local businesses in construction zones helps our local economy stay strong during important infrastructure projects. Businesses and organizations that are affected by the 18^TH Avenue SW work, but remain open, include:

• Area Ambulance Service
• Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC)
• Iowa CVS Pharmacy
• O'Reilly Auto Parts
• Smithfield Tennis and Pickle Ball Center
• Stanley Steamer
• Westfield Tennis Club
• WestPark Mobile Home Village

Smithfield/Westfield, Area Ambulance and ASAC have large amounts of traffic through their entrances on 18th Avenue SW. To compensate for this, the contractor built a new access point to ASAC from the Area Ambulance parking lot. Their shared entrance, and the entrance to the tennis centers, have been given priority. All businesses along the project have detours marked by individual orange business signs that have been placed to direct traffic on how to reach them. Temporary driveways and access points will be added whenever necessary.

"We are actively communicating with area businesses to coordinate on an as-needed basis," Lesnik said.

You can learn more about the 18^th Avenue SW project here. Learn more about Paving for Progress here.

Project of the Week puts a spotlight on work happening all over the City every day. Each week, we will take a closer look at projects that are investing in our community's roads, trails, Flood Control System, and more. See previous installments here:

April 30: Alliant Energy LightLine
April 23: 42nd Street
April 16: The 3rd Avenue Bridge