Ankeny Major Shift In West First Street Construction Project Starts On May 3

Press release from the City of Ankeny:

April 29, 2021

The City of Ankeny announced today the West First Street construction project will have major traffic pattern changes starting Monday, May 3, on West First Street, from SW Des Moines Street to Ankeny Boulevard (Highway 69).

• Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction until late fall, with dedicated left turn lanes at the signalized intersections of NW/SW School Street and NW Ash Drive/SW Cherry Street.
• The minor side street intersections and alleys along the south side of West First Street, from SW Scott Street to SW Logan Street, will be closed until late fall.
• The south leg of the First and School intersection will be closed for at least two months. This is to allow for the installation of storm sewer and other utilities along with the complete reconstruction of the south half of the intersection.
• After the First and School intersection is complete, the south leg of the First and Ash/Cherry intersection will be closed for the same work operations. These two signalized intersections will not be closed at the same time. View the construction map.

West First Street will generally remain open to through traffic with the exception of when two new storm sewer connections are made to the existing storm sewer later this year. The pedestrian crossing of West First Street at the High Trestle Trail will be maintained or detoured to the NW Ash Drive/SW Cherry Street intersection at all times.

The reconstruction of West First Street, from SW Scott Street to SW Logan Street, will occur in 3 main stages:

• Stage 1 (2021 Construction) includes temporary widening of West First Street to provide temporary left turn lanes at the two signalized intersections, while through traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction during construction. It also includes the full reconstruction of the eastbound lanes of West First Street, installation of new storm sewer along the south side of the street, and installation of new water main at each side street location.

• Stage 2 (2022 Construction) includes full reconstruction of the westbound lanes of West First Street and connection to the existing water main. Similar to the 2021 construction season, temporary left turn lanes will be provided at the signalized intersections while through traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction.

• Stage 3 (2022 Construction) includes construction of the center continuous left turn lane and installation of new traffic signals at the existing signalized intersections.

Watch for construction updates throughout the year at www.ankenyiowa.gov/construction, click on West First Street Widening and Improvements - Phase 1.

This press release was produced by the City of Ankeny. The views expressed here are the author’s own.