Iowa 58 & Viking Road Interchange Construction
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IOWA 58 & VIKING ROAD INTERCHANGE CONSTRUCTION FALL 2 019 The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Iowa 58 and Viking Road Interchange Project continues with a second full year of construction. Major items to be completed this year include the IA 58 paving, southbound exit and Volume 4 entrance ramps, new bridge carrying traffic on Viking Road over IA 58, and retaining walls along the highway. Aquatics 19 The contractor has completed most of the work on IA 58 north of Viking Road and is currently working on the Awards 2, 14 areas south of the new bridge carrying Viking Road traffic over IA 58. Community Main St. 15 Construction 12–13 Traffic on IA 58 will remain shifted to the northbound IA 58 exit and entrance ramps. There will be one lane Events Calendar 23 in each direction with single left-turn lanes at Viking Road. Traffic in IA 58 will stay in this configuration the Garbage/Recycling 8–9 entire 2019 construction season. Hearst Center 16–17 Historical Society 15 Traffic on Viking Road between Nordic Drive and Andrea Drive will continue in its current configuration of one Library 20–21 lane in each direction, with single left-turn lanes at IA 58. The contractor has finished constructing the north half Mayor’s Corner 3 of the bridge, and traffic has shifted to the north side while the south half of the bridge is being constructed. Parking 11 During 2019, the intersections of Nordic Drive and Andrea Road will remain in their current configuration. Public Meetings 24 Public Safety 4–5 Weather depending, the goal is to have all IA 58 lanes and ramps completed and open to traffic by the Rec Center 18 end of 2019. In the spring of 2020, the contractor will return to complete median work on the bridge, permanent erosion control, and landscaping to conclude all work on the project. GREAT AMERICAN RAIL TRAIL The Rails-To-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has announced a cross-country, multi-use trail that will run across 12 states, from Washington State to Washington D.C. The project is known as The Great American Rail Trail, and Cedar Falls is located right in the middle! In fact, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail is designated as one of 12 gateway trails along the route. While completion of the 3,700 mile trail is a significant undertaking and several decades away, 52% of the path is already complete and available for public use. RTC plans to work with state and local jurisdictions and organizations to bring new segments on line each year. Inclusion on this exciting route is sure to bring additional attention and visitors to our already notable trail system. Learn more at GreatAmericanRailTrail.org. CITY OF CEDAR FALLS WINS THE 2019 ALL-STAR COMMUNITY AWARD The City of Cedar Falls was selected as a 2019 All-Star and landscaping, as well as mid-block pedestrian crossing MAYORS Community Award from the Iowa League of Cities signals, and pull outs allowing buses to stop without for the reconstruction of University Avenue. impeding traffic. All of these updates helped CORNER achieve higher safety for pedestrians as well “We are excited to have been as drivers,” explains Sheetz. selected for this award,” said Stephanie Houk Sheetz, “There was no doubt the Cedar Falls Director of roadway needed to be Community Development. reconstructed,” said City “The reconstruction of Administrator, Ron Gaines. A city engaged! University Avenue was “We didn’t want a temporary a very important project solution. We wanted to really For the past few years I’ve seen amazing examples of how a community comes together for to our city and remains so envision how University the betterment of many. I have to admit, I don’t know the inner workings of most other cities, today, to support businesses, Avenue could best serve our but I also don’t mind taking this opportunity to brag about a few things I’ve seen in this place improve safety, and provide community, not only today, multi-modal opportunities but well into the future.” we call home. for our community.” To do this, the City Council Construction work began established project priorities Most of us remember the flood of 2016—the second highest recorded flood in Cedar Falls. in March 2016 for University including a design that would There are many roles a mayor has regarding natural disasters: staff meetings, citywide Avenue. Phase 1 spanned from be safe, efficient, cost-effective, updates, media interviews, closing downtown, and making calls to state officials. One of the Grove Street east to McClain and also include pedestrian biggest challenges I remember facing was when to make the call for volunteers to sandbag. Drive. It was completed in bike and walking lanes. July 2017. Phase 2 construction kicked off in Spring 2017 and was If it was called too soon, it created more danger; if too late, then we’d lose time to secure the “We did a lot of research prior to the start of the project,” said planned as a two-year project. The first year completed the area levee...all of this because once the call was made we would have thousands of volunteers Gaines. “We visited Johnson, Iowa, where they had just installed between McClain Drive and just east of Rownd Street. The second roundabouts. We also visited Carmel, Indiana, which probably has showing up to assist. Now that’s a great city! year picked up from there and stretched east almost to Midway Drive. the most roundabouts per capita than any other city in the United In 2018, Phase 3 construction was completed at the Highway 58/ States. It was really interesting to see how they were implementing One only needs to see names on buildings or sections of buildings to take special note of University Avenue interchange. them and the cost-savings associated with it. This is what we like generous individuals. I know from a number of other boards I attend that the gifts don’t have “The transformation of University Avenue included not only to do as a city—investigate how things work before we make implementing roundabouts as a safer and more eco-friendly solution a decision. We are proud of the transformation of to be in naming something, there are countless others that give “according to their means” to traffic lights, but also incorporated sidewalks, a bike lane, benches University Avenue and excited for the future of that area.” and it’s inspiring. Like when kids sell brownies to help raise money for a classmate to help build an inclusive park. IMAGINE DOWNTOWN!— Our school district is full of pride, long-term planning, and success stories. Just recently VISION PLAN COMING SOON! I helped with the Cedar Falls Booster Club’s efforts at the Fall Kickoff. We saw dozens of folks who had kids in sports, band, and dance who raised money. I believe when our kids see the Based on extensive public input from the project kick-off events in April, and the Community Design Charrette in camaraderie and commitment of families, those qualities will live on through their lives. June, a draft of the Imagine Downtown! Vision Plan was presented for public review and comment at a public open There are faith-based communities spread throughout Cedar Falls that are meeting in small house meeting held at City Hall in late September. The plan groups, available in times of need, standing beside those fighting life-threatening illnesses provides a road map for growth and development in and and the list goes on. These communities help us remember there’s more to life than just living, around Downtown Cedar Falls. It will establish a general it’s also giving. The new all-inclusive Place to Play Park, framework for public policy decisions and investment, in tandem with clear aspirations for the scale and character of located at the Greenhill Park site on the private development. View or download the public review These incredible attributes of our city don’t happen by accident. We recently lost a dedicated corner of Algonquin and Ashworth, had draft of the plan at www.OurCedarFalls.com. The website advocate for the city, Barbara Brown. Her hours of service and volunteering are immeasurable. its grand opening on August 31, 2019. also provides a place for your comments regarding the The park features adaptive playground plan. Public hearings will be held at the Planning & Zoning We have many other seniors throughout the community who have advocated and served equipment for all ages. Commission and City Council meetings in October and for decades and our city is better because of them. November prior to final adoption. During the second phase of the project, new policies and zoning regulations will be drafted It’s the people in our community that make Cedar Falls a great place to live…and the to implement the vision. These new development standards will best place to call home! go hand-in-glove with the vision the community has set for Downtown. These new development regulations are anticipated to be ready for public It is an honor to serve this great city, review early next year. Stay tuned for upcoming discussions Jim Brown and presentations. This is a great opportunity to learn about and contribute to the community’s Mayor Jim Brown joined Amanda Weichers and Sarah vision for Downtown Cedar Falls Corkery of Beau’s Beautiful Blessings for the ribbon cutting. and surrounding neighborhoods! 2 FALL 2019 FALL 2019 3 HALLOWEEN FIRE SAFETY OPEN BURNING IN THE FALL Halloween is a fun time of year for kids.