ANKENY, Iowa — The major construction project on Ankeny's West 1st Street is set to begin on March 22 and will last through 2022, according to a Facebook post from the City.
These updates will widen the street from four lanes to five lanes with a center continuous left-turn lane.
In the meantime, travelers should be aware of the various lane restrictions that will be in place during the three stages of the project.
The street will "generally" remain open to through traffic except when two new storm sewer connections are put in place, according to the City. Access to adjacent side streets and driveways will be limited based on what stage of construction is happening.
Access to the NW and SW School Street or SW Cherry Street/NW Ash Drive will remain open at all times. The crosswalk across West 1st Street at the High Trestle Trail will be maintained or detoured to the NW Ash Drive/SW Cherry Street intersection at all times.
Here is how the City plans to reconstruct this area:
• Stage 1 (2021 Construction) includes the temporary widening of West 1st 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 1st Street, installation of a new storm sewer along the south side of the street, and installation of a new water main at each side street location.
• Stage 2 (2022 Construction) includes full reconstruction of the westbound lanes of West 1st 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 the construction of the center continuous left turn lane and installation of new traffic signals at the existing signalized intersections.
Updates on the reconstruction process can be found on the City's website by clicking/tapping this link.