Iowa City American Legion Road Improvements

Background

American Legion Road is a two-lane roadway with a rural cross section located at the far southeast corner of Iowa City. The west intersection of the project area operated at a LOS F with a high volume of left-turning traffic and the road was heavily used by bicycle traffic. Construction of a new elementary school and planned residential expansion drove the city’s investigation of corridor improvements with the goal of developing solutions that improve safety, increase capacity, and incorporate Complete Streets elements. Foth was tasked conceptual development and preliminary and final design for the project.

Approach

Work included horizontal alignments, profiles, geometrics, grading limits and earthwork, storm sewer design, sanitary sewer design, and water main design. Special elements were roundabout design, twin drainage box culvert design, pedestrian box culvert underpass design, retaining wall design, and lighting. Final design incorporated vertical profile and grading design analysis to identify the optimal centerline profile to balance drainage, private property impacts, earthwork costs, and location of the new pedestrian underpass. Storm sewer system capacity was improved to set the corridor up for future development.

The project had major utility impacts, and we worked with the city and utility companies to identify and designate a utility relocation corridor. We followed the NEPA process to gain environmental clearance, including mitigating the presence of habitat for the endangered Rusty-Patch Bumblebee. Our team supported the city in acquisition of property and easements from over 30 parcels and led public involvement activities that included public meetings, displays, and communication collateral.

Results

Because the city used federal funds for the $7.1M construction cost, the project followed the Iowa DOT federal-aid project development process. Corridor improvements included reconstruction of 1 mile of American Legion Road with an urban two-lane typical section with on-street bike lanes, off-street trail and sidewalk facilities, a single lane modern roundabout, additional turn lanes at the school intersection, and a pedestrian underpass.