Fall 2017 Construction Update Ward 4 Southeast Engineering Department Riverwalk Red Multi-Use Trail Bridge Rehabilitation The Riverwalk Red Multi Use Trail Bridge was awarded to Cramer and Associates, Inc. for $2,458,787.30. This project has raised the bridge 4.5 feet, added LED lights, and ADA ramps at each end. The bridge was opened for use on May 26 th, 2017. The only item remaining to be completed is a handrail on the west end of the bridge.
Grand Avenue Bridge over the Des Moines River Replacement The new and improved Grand Avenue Bridge over the Des Moines River was open to traffic on Monday, November 20 th. As work is continuing on the bridge through the winter, only vehicular traffic is open on the bridge at this time, as well as access on the south sidewalk. A majority of the bridge is completed, however the aesthetic metal panels on the exterior of the bridge remain to be installed. These aesthetic panels will hide the bridge beams and will create a scalloped effect that will sweep across each bridge span. New LED lighting is incorporated into the pedestrian railing and will accent the aesthetic panels when they are installed. Currently, there is no public parking available on the bridge as it is currently reserved for the contractor s access. Also closed at this time are the bike lanes across the bridge, the north sidewalk, and the Principal Riverwalk Trail connections on the west side of the river. The project will be fully complete in summer 2018. Additional information regarding the project, along with detour maps and project updates can be found at https://projects.dmgov.org/.
2017-2018 Expanded Street Resurfacing Program - Contract 1 This project provides for maintenance of residential and arterial streets utilizing surface scarification and hot mix asphalt overlay to improve the surface condition and to extend the useful service life of the streets. The contract was awarded to Des Moines Asphalt & Paving at an estimated cost of $1,583,934.65. Work on this contract began in mid-june and the asphalt work was completed this fall. Sidewalk ramps will be constructed next spring to complete this project. The following streets located in Ward 4 were resurfaced this year: Street From To E. Park Ave South Union Street S.E. 5th Street S.E. 5th Street E. Park Avenue Watrous Avenue E. Grand Avenue Complete Streets Conversion from Des Moines River to E. 7th Street The project is a pilot program that includes restriping E. Grand Avenue from the Des Moines River to Penn Avenue to include protected bike lanes, and one lane of traffic and parking in either direction. The project included enhanced intersections with striped medians and vertical delineators for improved visibility and safety for cyclists. The contractor has completed all the main pavement markings, the green bike lane markings, raised bus stops and the vertical delineator posts. Minor adjustments have been made to the intersections and location of the vertical delineators based on public comments and operational observations from City Staff. Signage and minor traffic signal improvements will be completed in the spring of 2018.
Agrimergent Storm Sewer Phase 1 The Agrimergent Storm Sewer Phase 1 project was awarded to RW Excavating Solutions for $1,059,070. This project will improve storm water drainage along Vandalia Road, provide storm sewer access to the Regional Detention Basin for future Agrimergent Technology Park development, and provide a storm water outlet pipe for the future Southeast Connector project from S.E. 30th to Highway 65. The project included various size storm sewer pipe, storm sewer intakes and manholes, and ditch grading. The project has been substantially completed with only restoration work remaining in the spring. Women of Achievement Bridge Deck Surface Replacement The Women of Achievement Bridge Deck Surface Replacement was completed on October 23, 2017. The project was performed by Iowa State Contractors, Inc. The project included a new nonskid surface for the bridge.
2017-2018 HMA Pavement Scarification and Resurfacing Program This project provides for maintenance of residential and arterial streets utilizing surface scarification and hot mix asphalt overlay to improve the surface condition, and to extend the useful service life of the streets. The contract was awarded to Des Moines Asphalt & Paving at a contract amount of $897,881.45. Work on this citywide project began in July, and is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2018. The following streets located in Ward 4 have been resurfaced: Street From To SE 5 th Street PCC South of E. McKinley Avenue E. Titus Avenue Park Avenue South Union Street SW 6 th Street City Hall Improvements The improvements include the replacement and/or rehabilitation of HVAC equipment; lighting and controls; installation of a new fire suppression system with upgrades to the fire alarm and detection system; architectural remodeling; data and phone cabling upgrades; new elevator for the south end of the building; remodeling of third floor Legal offices and first floor public restrooms. The project was awarded to Henning Paric Commercial, LLC on June 13, 2016. The City Council approved a second phase of the project to address remodeling of offices to add conference space, and modify offices and hallways in order to reconfigure working spaces to maximize space and service to the public. The project is planned to be completed in early 2018.
E. 2 nd Street Reconstruction from E. Locust Street to E. Grand Avenue The E. 2 nd Street Reconstruction from E. Locust Street to E. Grand Avenue contract was awarded to MPS Engineers, P.C. in the amount of $659,983.50. The project reconstructed E. 2 nd Street adding additional turning lanes to provide access to the new E. 2 nd Street Parking Garage. The construction activities were coordinated with the parking garage construction and the construction of the new building at 219 E. Grand Avenue. Access to properties east of the street was maintained during construction. E. 2 nd Street was opened this fall when the E. 2 nd Street Parking Garage and a retailer opened in the 219 E. Grand Building. Restoration work along the east side of Robert D. Ray Drive will be completed in the spring of 2018. Des Moines River East Storm Sewer Box Emergency Repair At the end of January, sink holes appeared along the Des Moines River outside of City Hall. With the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers, the river was lowered to allow staff to survey the area. It was discovered that there was significant scouring occurring under the storm sewer box. An emergency contract was bid and awarded to Cramer and Associates, Inc. When the contractor started the repairs, additional scour was found north of the Grand Avenue Bridge. The additional scour area has been repaired. The historic balustrade wall was displaced towards the river causing significant structural damage. The construction plan was revised to remove and replace the river wall instead of grouting the eroded soil below the wall. Work on the demolition and replacement of the wall has started and is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2018.
Park Avenue Elementary Pedestrian Bridge Removal and Site Improvements The Park Avenue Elementary Pedestrian Bridge Removal and Site Improvements project was awarded to TK Concrete for $551,765.75. The project includes the removal of the pedestrian bridge over SW 9 th Street, intersection improvements at SW 9 th and Park Avenue, parking lanes along Park Avenue and SW 7 th Street, and sidewalk improvements around the school site. All work has been completed. BEFORE AFTER Leetown Creekway Box Culvert from Dean Avenue to University Avenue This project includes the construction of a 12-feet by 5-feet box culvert from Dean Avenue to University Avenue, which will alleviate storm water flows to the existing 5-feet by 6-feet concrete box culvert and existing 48-inches diameter culvert. The project has been awarded to S.M. Hentges & Sons Inc. for $7,795,330.07. Construction started in October and the contractor has been working on the relocation of existing utilities. Installation of the box culvert is expected to start this winter and the project completion is anticipated in 2019. E. McKinley Avenue Widening S.E. 7 th Street to S.E. 14 th Street with Access Bridge This project was awarded to Corell Contractor, Inc. for $4,885,816.20. One component of the project includes reconstructing E. McKinley Avenue from a two-lane roadway to a three-lane roadway with center turn lane from just west of SE 7 th Street to the intersection with SE 14 th Street. The reconstruction project also includes sidewalk construction and installation of new storm sewer and water main. Another component of the project includes constructing a new access between Southdale Center and reconstructed E. McKinley Avenue, including a continuous concrete slab (CCS) bridge across Yeader Creek. The new access will replace the existing access road located near the intersection of E. McKinley Avenue and SE 14 th Street. Project construction is anticipated to begin in early 2018.
Evergreen Avenue Bridge This improvement includes the replacement of the Evergreen Avenue Bridge over Easter Lake. The bridge was evaluated and it was recommended that the bridge be replaced due to the existing condition of the bridge. This bridge will be widened to include a sidewalk section for the trail that Polk County is constructing around Easter Lake. The project has been awarded to United Contractors, Inc. for $1,034,338.10. Construction started in June. The contractor has completed the deck of the bridge and is working on the approach paving and railings. The bridge is completed and the roadway was opened on December 8 th. Seeding and restoration will be completed in the spring. 2018 Sewer Lining Program This project provides for the lining of deteriorated sanitary sewers throughout the city. The installation of the liner restores the structural integrity of the pipe to prevent failures and also reduce groundwater infiltration into the sanitary sewer system. This project will bid in December and with construction to begin early in 2018. The work will continue for the rest of the year. The following sewer is planned for Ward 4: Street From To Logan Avenue E. 27 th Street 320 East
Historic Pillar Repair at Chaffee Road South of Army Post Road Construction work has been completed on the repair of the east gate pillar at the northeast entrance to the original Fort Des Moines campus. Located at the intersection of East Army Post Road and Chaffee Road, the pillar suffered damage due to a vehicular accident. Renaissance Restoration, Inc. from Galena, Illinois, was awarded the contract to reconstruct the east stone pillar and clean both the reconstructed pillar and undamaged west pillar. The total construction and cleaning cost was $35,162.33. BEFORE AFTER Ewing Park Lilac Plaza This improvement includes the construction of a plaza in Ewing Park. The plaza will be used as a lilac viewing area and as a venue for small events. The plaza is being funded as a partnership between the City of Des Moines Parks Department and private donations via the Friends of Des Moines Parks. The project was awarded to Cerebral Group, LLC for $263,441.70 as a part of the 2017 PCC Paving and Sidewalk Program. Construction started in October. The contractor has completed the paving and grading. Seeding and restoration will be completed in the spring.