First Avenue Will Close Downtown Tonight for the Installation of the East Floodgate

Construction continues on the First Avenue East Floodgate as part of the Cedar River Flood Control System. On Tuesday, December 20, 1st Avenue will be closed between 3rd Street West and 1st Street Northeast, beginning at 7 p.m. and running until 1 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21. The closure was scheduled to minimize any impact on commuter traffic. Signed detours will be in place during the road closure. Westbound traffic from 1^st  Avenue E will be detoured to 7^th St NE and onto 8^th Ave SE. Traffic on 1^st Ave E to 2^nd St NE will be narrowed down to one lane. 1^st Avenue and 1^st St NE will be fully opened by 2 a.m., Wednesday, December 21.

The floodgate stands 11’-3” tall, 82’ long, 5’-6” thick, weighs over 80,000 pounds, and requires a 350-ton crane for installation. When completed, the floodgate will be able to roll across 1st Avenue, lock into place, and keep flood water out of the downtown area. A similar gate is planned for the west side of the bridge.