Projects Underway
Under construction or in design
Jump to:
North Segment: Time Check & Cedar Lake Area
Northwest Neighborhood Detention Basins // 2019–25
- Hold excess rain water until it can be safely pumped back into the Cedar River
- Serve as a “bowl” during heavy rain events, reducing stormwater runoff and neighborhood flash flooding. Locations and schedule include:
- 2019 – north of the Northwest Recreation Center
- 2022 – south of E Avenue NW and west of 28th Street
- 2024 – north of O Avenue NW and west of Edgewood Road
- 2025 – south of O Avenue NW and east of Highwood Drive
- Extends 6th Street NW through former Mid-American site, to Ellis Blvd NW, opening connectivity into Time Check neighborhood
- New connection for traffic, pedestrians, bikes, transit
- Includes sidewalk, bike lanes, brick pavers, raised medians, and utility improvements
- Integrated with permanent flood control plans in Time Check
- $8 million investment
- Extension and partial demolition of existing box culvert, utility relocations (2020 – 2021)
- Shaver Road bridge replacement/elevation and trail underpass (2021 – 2022)
- Environmental improvements to streambed (2021 – 2023)
- McLoud Run Culverts (2020 - 2023)
- Shaver Road Bridge (2020 - 2023)
- Trail currently closed from 10th Street NE, along McLoud Run, and south to the Cedar Lake Loop located at the northwest corner of Cedar Lake
- Detour established along 10th Street NE
- Flood control in this area will include a new levee and trail system west of Shaver Road and south of McLoud Run, with the trail built on top of the levee (similar to the Sinclair levee).
- The levee and trail system will include amenities such as a trail parking lot, pedestrian benches, and scenic viewpoints.
- When all flood control measures are completed in this area, it will wrap around Cedar Lake, tying into high ground at I-380 near J Avenue, and will protect homes and businesses threatened when the Cedar River backs up into McLoud Run and Cedar Lake
- Design concepts are underway to elevate O Avenue NW over a levee, serving as a gateway to the greenways.
- The project will feature an ADA accessible ramp from the raised O Avenue to the Northwest Gateway & Memorial Plaza.
- Will eliminate the complex geometry at the intersection where 1st Street NW, E Avenue NW, F Avenue NW, and the I-380 off-ramp all come together
- The realignment will be a simplified, more intuitive design, and will accommodate permanent flood control measures such as a levee and pump station
- Flood gate crossing the railroad tracks near Quaker
- Section of removable floodwall to train and prepare crews for flood response
Central Segment: Downtown & Kingston Village
E and F Avenue NE Floodgates under 5-in-1 Dam // 2022–23
- Located underneath I-380
- Roller gates similar to 16th Avenue SE
- Signal removals at E and F Avenue: precursor work to gate installation (2021)
- Closures of E & F Avenue will be required during construction (timing and phasing TBD)
- Sculpture elevated and realigned to accommodate levee
- Pump station
- Permanent full height floodwall with elevated park to allow views of the river
- New bike trail connecting E Avenue with downtown
- 1st Street will be reduced to one lane during construction
- New landscaping and tree plantings (future project)
- Trail connection established
- Curb and ADA improvements on 1st Street SE
- Temporary traffic signals in place during construction
- Stackable / removable gate similar to 3rd Avenue SE floodgate
- Includes a speed table at the trail crossing
- 2nd Avenue will be closed during construction
- Between Smulekoff’s and Hach building on 4th Avenue SE
- Considerations include parking, preserving view of the river, trail enhancements, public access, etc.
- Permanent and combination floodwalls incorporated
- Consolidating underground storm sewer lines reduces our number of vulnerable river outlets
- Consolidate and relocate storm sewer on 1st Street SW at 8th Avenue SW
- The new lines will be redirected to a future pump station at 8th Avenue
- Pump Station in the CRST Building
- Connects to future pump station
- Reduces number of river outlets
- One way traffic expected from 5th – 7th and weekend only full closures expected.
- Elevated 15 feet, bridge to remain open during floods
- Raised above 2008 volume
- Fewer piers in river
- Incorporates floodwall, pump station, and streetscaping/lighting
- Incorporates indoor/outdoor public gathering spaces
- Complements Amphitheatre
- Trail component
1st and 1st Traffic Signal // Spring 2023 - Fall 2023
- Traffic and pedestrian signal upgrades in connection with the 1st and 1st development
- Relocating 1st Street away from the Flood Control System
- Relocating 1st Street away from the Flood Control System
South Segment: NewBo & Czech Village
12th Avenue SE Floodgate // Summer 2022–Spring 2023
- Roller gate, similar to 16th Avenue SE
- Aesthetics to complement 16th Avenue SE gate
- Paired with intersection improvements at 2nd Street for new roundabout
- 12th Avenue Bridge elevation means west side does not require floodgate
- Road will be closed to traffic
- Trail detour established
- Access maintained to African American Museum of Iowa
- Replacement of Cedar River Trail
- Detour established on 2nd Street SE
- Permanent concrete floodwall from the 16th Avenue gate to the proposed pump station just south of the 12th Avenue Bridge
- Includes a raised, terraced yard to accommodate outdoor activities at the museum and minimize the appearance of the floodwall
- Largest pump station undertaken to date, located south of the 12th Avenue Bridge
- Capacity anticipated to be over 100,000 gallons per minute (more than twice the size of the Parking Lot 44 Pump Station)
- The aesthetics will complement and blend with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- A detention basin will be constructed for river storage in the event of a flood until it can be safely pumped back into the Cedar River.
- To accommodate detention basin construction, the skatepark and playground will be replaced and relocated at Riverside Park.
Related: View Open House Material
