Ankeny West First Street Reconstruction Starts On March 22

Press release from the City of Ankeny:

March 15, 2021

ANKENY, IA (March 15, 2021) – The City of Ankeny will begin the West First Street reconstruction project on Monday, March 22. The project involves the complete reconstruction of West First Street to widen the street from a 4-lane to 5-lane roadway with a center continuous left turn lane. The project is expected to last two years; when complete it will improve traffic safety, mobility and overall drainage in the immediate vicinity of the project.

West First Street will have multiple lane restrictions throughout construction and will generally remain open to through traffic with the exception of when two new storm sewer connections are made to the existing storm sewer. Access to the adjacent side streets and driveways will be limited based on what stage of construction is occurring. However, access to NW/SW School Street or SW Cherry Street/NW Ash Drive will remain open at all times. 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. View the current construction map.

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.