Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements

Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements: Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road


Coral Ridge Avenue from Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road underwent total reconstruction in 2018 and will continue in 2019. This is the final section of Coral Ridge Avenue that needs to be improved.
  1. Highlights
  2. Cost
  3. Timeline

Highlights


After work is complete, this widened one mile stretch of Coral Ridge Avenue will feature:
  • Four lanes (widened from the current two lanes), with a raised center median and dedicated turn lanes at all intersections
  • Upgraded traffic signals at both Oakdale Boulevard and Forevergreen Road
  • New traffic signals at both University Parkway and Wheaton Road
  • New pedestrian tunnel just north of Oakdale Boulevard
  • New 10' trail along the west side of Coral Ridge Avenue
  • New storm sewer system and stormwater quality enhancements
  • Roadway lighting and landscaping
Coral Ridge Ave Improvements

Contact Us

  1. Dan Holderness


    City Engineer
    Email

    Scott Larson


    Assistant City Engineer
    Email

    1512 7th St.
    P.O. Box 5127
    Coralville, IA  52241

    Ph: 319.248.1720
    Fx: 319.248.1894

    Staff Directory

Updates


Current & Upcoming Work*



Work August 12-22, 2019 included:
  • Reopened the west leg of the Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway intersection (IMCC’s northerly access). The east leg of this intersection will remain closed until the very end of the project for contractor staging.
  • Completed installation of the native vegetated mat and permanent native seeding within the stormwater bio-retention cells along the east side of Coral Ridge Avenue.
  • Completed seeding, erosion matting, and sodding along the majority of the east side of Coral Ridge Avenue. A portion of the west side also received seeding and erosion matting. 
  • Completed installation of native vegetated mat within 9 of the 10 west side bio-retention cells, with the remaining cell to be completed on August 23.  
  • Paved more paver crosswalk banding across the north leg of the Coral Ridge Avenue & Forevergreen Road intersection.
  • The brick paver pedestrian area on the NE corner of Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard should be complete by end of August 22.  
  • Completed a majority of the permanent pavement markings; that work is ongoing as of August 22 and is the primary reason for the lane reductions. All lanes on Coral Ridge Avenue should be open by August 23 in the morning, including the southbound lane closure south of Oakdale Boulevard.
Progress expected August 23-29, weather permitting, includes completing the:
  • Remaining crosswalk pavement on north leg of the Coral Ridge Avenue & Forevergreen Road intersection.
  • Majority of seeding, erosion matting, and sodding along the west side of Coral Ridge Avenue.
  • Pedestrian corners landing on the west leg of the Coral Ridge Avenue & Wheaton Road intersection.
  • Remaining street pavement on the west leg of the Coral Ridge Avenue & Forevergreen Road intersection.  
  • Corner pedestrian landing work on the SE corner of Forevergreen Road.
Looking ahead
  • Final landscaping and seeding will continue through August and into September (fall seeding period is August 10 to September 30).  
  • The west side trail north of the new underpass tunnel remains closed as staff evaluate an issue with the cross-slope on certain sections of the trail.  
  • There will be minor lane closures over the next week, but all lanes on Coral Ridge Ave are expected to generally remain open after Friday, August 30.

*Updated August 22, 2019

At a Glance


Final improvements to be completed in spring/summer 2019:
  • Complete final street, median, and sidewalk construction on the east half of Coral Ridge Avenue between University Parkway and Forevergreen Road
  • Roadway lighting
  • Remaining intersection paving at University Parkway, Wheaton Road, and Forevergreen Road
  • Streetscaping at all intersections
  • Sidewalk and trail connections, including through the new pedestrian underpass north of Oakdale Boulevard
  • Stormwater bio-retention cells along both sides of Coral Ridge Avenue to help remove pollutants from street runoff
  • Final landscaping, including street trees
Summer 2019 traffic impact:
  • Expect lane closures, with efforts to minimize traffic impact
  • Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction through most of the project corridor until the project nears completion.
Street closures
  • The east leg of Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway is closed. Traffic leaving the Iowa Medical and Classification Center will need to turn north or south onto Coral Ridge Avenue.
Coral Ridge Ave weekly meeting

Merging Traffic


How to Merge Efficiently on Coral Ridge Avenue


When traffic is slow and heavy, merging too early can create traffic backups. During peak traffic times on Coral Ridge Avenue, using a "zipper merge" can keep traffic moving and reduce traffic backups.

A "zipper merge" is when drivers use both lanes of traffic until they reach the defined merge area, and then alternate in "zipper" style into the open lane. This maximizes road space, reduces congestion, and allows both lanes to move at similar speeds.

How to "Zipper Merge"
  1. Watch for signs giving drivers notice that there is a merge ahead
  2. Stay in your lane up to the point of merge
  3. Take turns with drivers to safely ease into the remaining lane
  4. Always merge when it is safe

Merging FAQs


When is it best to use the zipper merge?
When traffic is congested and traveling at slower speeds, it is best to remain in your lane until the point where traffic can take turns merging, which is indicated by a "BEGIN MERGE" sign.

When is it best to merge early?
When traffic conditions are light and vehicles are traveling at highway speeds, it is best to merge as soon as safely possible.

Zipper Merge Resources


Take Turns sign

Pre-Project Planning


Duct Banks

 
In anticipation of the project, underground duct banks were proactively constructed in 2017. These duct banks provided places for the private utilities companies to relocate their overhead and underground facilities to be out of the way before the 2018 improvement projects. The duct banks should minimize delays caused by private utility relocations, which can be common during street projects.

Stay Informed


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