Council hears street improvement proposals for southwest D.M.
KATHY A. BOLTEN Aug 9, 2021 | 7:57 pm
2 min read time
454 wordsAll Latest News, Government Policy and Law, Real Estate and Development
Among the street improvements proposed by a consultant is the installation of a roundabout at Park Avenue and George Flagg Parkway.
Plans to redevelop 140 acres south and west of Gray’s Lake include proposals for improvements to major thoroughfares in the area, the Des Moines City Council learned during today’s morning workshop.
The proposed street improvements are part of a larger project to determine what could be built south of Gray’s Lake, an area that is mostly industrial.
More than two decades ago, a transportation study was completed of the southwest portion of Des Moines. However, plans to improve traffic flow between Iowa Highway 28 and areas south of Des Moines Water Works Park and Gray’s Lake were shelved when a proposal to build a terminal on the west side of Des Moines International Airport failed to materialize, Corey Bogenreif, Des Moines’ principal traffic engineer, told the council.
“There hasn’t been as much growth in the area as expected,” Bogenreif said. “Traffic levels didn’t reach the forecasted levels.”
City planners are revisiting infrastructure needs in Des Moines’ southwest quadrant.
Included in proposals from Lincoln, Neb.-based Felsburg Holt & Ullevig are:
The proposed street improvements are part of a larger project to determine what could be built south of Gray’s Lake, an area that is mostly industrial.
More than two decades ago, a transportation study was completed of the southwest portion of Des Moines. However, plans to improve traffic flow between Iowa Highway 28 and areas south of Des Moines Water Works Park and Gray’s Lake were shelved when a proposal to build a terminal on the west side of Des Moines International Airport failed to materialize, Corey Bogenreif, Des Moines’ principal traffic engineer, told the council.
“There hasn’t been as much growth in the area as expected,” Bogenreif said. “Traffic levels didn’t reach the forecasted levels.”
City planners are revisiting infrastructure needs in Des Moines’ southwest quadrant.
Included in proposals from Lincoln, Neb.-based Felsburg Holt & Ullevig are:
- Moving a portion of George Flagg Parkway to align with Bell Avenue at Southwest 30th Street.
- Installing a four-point roundabout at the intersection of George Flagg Parkway and Park Avenue. The roundabout would improve safety at the intersection and ease traffic congestion during peak hours, said Jesse Poore, a senior planner with Felsburg Holt and Ullevig.
- Relocating a portion of the Great Western Trail to the north side of George Flagg Parkway. The trail would cross under Park Avenue and connect to the existing trail on the south side of the street.
- Constructing a roundabout on Thomas Beck Road near the entrance to the Bell Avenue Business Center. Westbound Thomas Beck Road would be two lanes between the roundabout and Fleur Drive; eastbound Thomas Beck Road would be two lanes and a turn lane between the proposed roundabout and Southwest Ninth Street.
Also proposed is the creation of a wetland south of Gray’s Lake and Meredith Trail. A series of micro-pools would be developed by removing 151,500 cubic yards of soil, Poore said. A walking trail would be constructed through the wetland and the area would connect with nearby trails. Pedestrian bridges would also be constructed, he said.
“This would be an amazing amenity and it certainly would provide some water quality,” Poore said.
Creation of the wetland would cost between $2.6 million and $4.8 million.
The consulting firm plans to return to the council in the coming weeks with cost estimates for the proposed street improvements. In September, the council is expected to learn more about the proposed Gray’s Lake Master Plan.
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