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1st Avenue Reconstruction

1st Avenue Reconstruction
Phases 1-3

Project Updates

Update Date: 09/21/2023

Progress
Phase 2 of this substantially complete with final restoration remaining. Restoration work is currently underway.

Phase 3 is running behind schedule. To allow for the contractor to make up some time, the original staging plan was reworked to allow for 2-block closures. We are allowing the contractor to close blocks as needed for work to occur to help expedite project completion.


Stage 1: 8th Street to the Hinke Dentistry driveway
- Paving is underway.

Stage 2: Hinke Dentistry driveway to 7th Street
- Water main work is complete. Service connections are complete.
- Storm sewer pipe is complete. Storm sewer structures are underway.
- The pavement widening and subdrain work will follow. Driveway approaches and sidewalk replacement will be completed too.

Stage 3: 7th Street to 6th St SW
- Water main installation is complete. Service connections are underway.
- Storm sewer pipe installation and construction of structures are underway.
- The pavement widening and subdrain work will follow. Driveway approaches and sidewalk replacement will be completed too.

Stage 4: 6th St SW to 4th Street
- Water main installation is complete. Service connections are underway.
- Storm sewer pipe installation will begin next week, weather permitting

Stage 5: 4th Street to 2nd Street SE
- Work will not begin until after the 5th Avenue SW railroad work occurs in mid-October

Schedule
Construction for Phase 3 is now underway. Phase 3 has been broken into 5 stages to help minimize the impact to the numerous residents and businesses within the project limits.

Traffic Impact
Stage 1: 1st Avenue S will be closed to all traffic from 8th St to the driveway into Hinke Family Dentistry for underground utility work. Stages 2-5 will have hard closures as storm sewer work approaches.
This project will have several other traffic shifts as work progresses. 5th Avenue SW will again be utilized as the detour route.

Project Update Notifications
Due to the number of residences and businesses this project may affect, the City’s engineering department will be pushing out regular updates via email on the progress of the project. If you would like to be added to the email list for these project updates, please send an email to dtaylor@altoona-iowa.com requesting to be added to the First Avenue Project email list. You can expect updates on the project schedule and other useful information every week or two once the project gets started.

Project Overview

Description
This project includes the full-depth reconstruction and widening of 1st Ave N from 8th St SE to 9th St NE and the installation of a roundabout at the 9th St NE intersection. It will also include improvements to public utilities and the installation of trail and sidewalk. This project will be completed in three phases spanning multiple years.

Location
Phase 1: 1st Ave N from 2nd St SE to 2nd St NW.
Phase 2: 1st Ave N from 2nd St NW to 9th St NW.
Phase 3: 1st Ave N from 8th St SE to 2nd St SE.

1st Ave Reconstruction Strip Map

Purpose
The goal is to widen 1st Avenue from 8th St SE to 9th St NE to match the wider 4-lane sections of first avenue to the north of 9th St NE and to the south of 8th St SE. This section of 1st Avenue is approximately one mile in length and stretches through some of Altoona’s oldest neighborhoods. This project was broken up into three separate phases.

  • Phase one was constructed in 2019 and included the reconstruction of 1st Ave from 2nd St SW to 2nd St NW, including the railroad crossing improvements.
  • Phase two began construction in the spring of 2021 and was slated to take two years to complete. It includes the reconstruction of 1st Ave from 2nd St NW to 9th St NW, including the installation of a multi-lane roundabout at the 9th St NW intersection.
  • Phase three will be constructed in 2023, if utility relocations are on schedule, and will include the reconstruction of 1st Avenue from 8th St SE to 2nd St SE.

During all three phases, improvements to the aging water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer systems will be made as well.

Timeline
Phase 1 is complete.
Phase 2 is substantially complete.
Phase 3 is underway.

Budget

 

Expected Traffic Impacts

Road Closures
Sections of 1st Avenue N will be closed to traffic under each phase of this project. Closures will also affect intersections within the project limits.

Detour Routes
The detour route is 5th Ave SW.

Lane Closures
Lane closures are likely to occur after 1st Avenue is reopened to traffic in order to complete minor work along the shoulders such as grading, trail, and sidewalks.

Sidewalk & Trail Closures
The sidewalks along 1st Avenue N within the current road closure will be closed for safety reasons. Sidewalk at side streets will be closed at 1st Avenue as well.


Public Information & Notifications

Public Information Meetings
If you would like to receive regular project updates via email, please contact Dakota Taylor at dtaylor@altoona-iowa.com to be added to the list.