Cost:
$50 million from Southeast 14th Street to Southeast 30th Street; approximately $8 million from Southeast Ninth Street to Southeast 14th Street.

Timeline:
The expansion to Southeast 30th Street is expected to be completed by 2016.

Latest Progress:
Earlier this year, the city received a $10 million federal grant for the project, less than hoped for, which slightly changed the project. In 2010 the city extended the parkway from Southeast Second Street to Southeast Ninth Street. Officials had already secured money for an extension of the four-lane divided road to Southeast 14th Street. They were hoping for a $30 million grant this year, which would have allowed them to build a four-lane road all the way to Southeast 30th Street. The $10 million grant will only allow them to build a two-lane road beginning at Southeast 15th Street, while keeping the option for expansion in the future. Going forward with construction is important, because it will allow easier access to Kemin Industries Inc. on Southeast 22nd Street. The city is relocating two businesses and some residents in the way of the proposed route. Phil Wageman, city real estate manager, said one of those businesses, Carroll Auto Wrecking Inc., will not re-establish business due to the owner’s retirement. The other, Midwest Automatic Fire Sprinkler Co., is moving to another location in Des Moines.

Future steps:
Officials hope to award a construction contract for the connection from Southeast Ninth Street to Southeast 30th Street by mid-2013 and have construction completed by late 2016, said City Engineer Jeb Brewer. The ultimate goal of the project is to extend it to connect with Highway 65, but there is no specific timeline to complete the final legs. That would cost in the range of $60 million, officials said.

Why is it so important:
Encouraging industrial development is the key goal for the city with this project. Kemin, located along the proposed route, is perhaps the most important example of that. Currently, there’s no straightforward or easy route to get to Kemin from any highway in the area. That’s is especially troublesome for semitrailer trucks that transport items to and from Kemin. With the potential to connect the road to Highway 65 in the future, city officials believe the new road will attract industries to the area. “As you drive through it, you don’t see much evidence of new investment in this area,” said City Manager Rick Clark. “So we’re hoping that with this street coming in, it will spur investment, gradually transforming the area.”