8th St SE Widening

8th Street SE Widening from 7th Avenue SE to Falcon Drive SE


Project Updates

Update Date: 03/22/2024

Progress
This project is underway.

Current Work:
- The future westbound lanes are complete. Crews have resumed work on the remaining entrance to the south parking lot of Sam Wise Park and on the rest of the trail and sidewalk on the north half of the project. We currently expect 8th Street traffic will be shifted to this new pavement at the end of March, so work can begin on the future eastbound lanes. Once this traffic shift has been made, Falcon Drive SE to the south of the project will be closed to traffic with a detour in place. 

Upcoming Work:
- Once traffic has been shifted onto last year's new pavement, the existing lanes will be removed.
- Storm sewer work will then be completed, followed by paving prep, and the paving of the future eastbound lanes of 8th St SE.

Completed Work:
- The new westbound lanes of 8th St SE are complete.

Schedule
This project is expected to take 2 construction seasons, wrapping up prior to the 2024 school year beginning. This project is under construction at the same time as the Falcon Drive Roundabout and Extension project.

Traffic Impact
This project will be constructed in phases in order to keep the 8th Street SE open to traffic. Traffic may operate under reduced or narrow lanes.


Project Overview

Description
8th St SE and 8th Ave SE Roundabout Construction and the reconstruction of 8th St SE from 8th Ave SE to Falcon Drive SE.

Location
The intersection of 8th St SE & 8th Ave SE and 8th St SE east to Falcon Drive SE.

Purpose
8th St SE will be widened to four lanes with a median from the 8th Ave SE intersection to the Falcon Drive intersection. A roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of 8th St SE and 8th Ave SE. A pedestrian tunnel will also be included with this project. These improvements are driven by the construction of the new Southeast Polk Middle School to be located just east of Sam Wise Youth Complex.

Timeline
This project is under construction.

Budget

 


Expected Traffic Impacts

Road Closures
Traffic will be maintained on 8th St SE with reduced and/or narrow lanes for the majority of the project from 8th Ave SE to Falcon Dr. SE. driveway accesses to the south parking lot of Sam Wise Youth Complex will be affected.

Detour Routes
Detours will be in place to access both Sam Wise Sports Complex parking lots.

Lane Closures

Sidewalk & Trail Closures
The sidewalks and trail along 8th St SE within the project limits will be closed for the duration of the project.