Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements

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

Cost

Bid in January 2018
Low bid: $8,451,528.03 (Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck, Iowa)
Funding: The Iowa Department of Transportation is contributing $1.7 million, with the balance coming from local funds and assessments. The City of North Liberty is also contributing funds since a portion of the project is located within North Liberty.

Timeline

Start: March 2018
Estimated completion: December 2018, weather permitting (driving lanes, trail, and traffic signals)
Landscaping and final work: Spring 2019, weather permitting

Traffic Impact on Coral Ridge Avenue

There are traffic delays
One lane of traffic is maintained in each direction through the project corridor
Detour (mid-May through mid-November): Coral Ridge Avenue traffic detours using Oakdale Boulevard, Crosspark Road, and Wheaton Road to give the contractor full access to this section of the roadway. This temporary closure speeds up the project timeline.
Access to businesses is maintained at all times
Pedestrian access is maintained using temporary surfacing and channelizing barriers

Updates

Current & Upcoming Work*

Work completed the week of September 10:

Continued storm sewer installation in Segment C-1.
All of the new water main is now in service.
Prepared sections of Oakdale Boulevard corridor for permanent seeding.
Paved 500’ of the two northbound lanes of Coral Ridge Avenue starting from north of University Parkway and ending just south of the intersection.
Prepared remainder of the two north lanes of Coral Ridge Avenue south to Oakdale Boulevard for paving early next week.
A smaller paving machine was delivered to the job that will be used to pave turn lanes.
Continued final grading along west side of Coral Ridge Avenue.
Continued traffic signal pole foundation work at Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway.

Work expected the week of September 17:

Continue storm sewer installation within Segment C-1.
Continue final grading along west side of Coral Ridge Avenue.
Continue traffic signal foundations and electrical work at Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway.
Attach mast arms to new traffic signal poles at Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard.
Complete the all mainline paving on Coral Ridge Avenue, except for within Segment C-1, and begin paving turn lanes.
Complete permanent seeding along the Oakdale Boulevard corridor from Coral Court to the Crosspark Road intersection. The remainder of the project will receive temporary seeding this fall, with permanent seeding next spring following construction of stormwater bio-retention cells along both sides of Coral Ridge Avenue.

Looking ahead:

Substantially complete Segment B-2 by October 20.
The project is on schedule for substantial completion in mid-November.

*Updated September 13, 2018

Detour route:

Coral Ridge Ave traffic detours through the project corridor using Oakdale Boulevard, Crosspark Road, and Wheaton Road.

Intersection information & traffic patterns:

Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard:
- The Coral Ridge Avenue/Oakdale Boulevard intersection is a temporary T-intersection.
- Northbound Coral Ridge Avenue drivers approaching Oakdale Boulevard can turn left onto westbound Oakdale Boulevard using the dedicated left turn lane, and turn right onto eastbound Oakdale Boulevard (UI Research Park) using the dedicated right turn lane to follow the detour route.

Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road:
- The pavement widening that occurred earlier in the project on the northeast corner of Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road provides a southbound Crosspark Road dedicated right turn lane, a southbound thru/left turn lane, and a northbound lane.
- Temporary traffic signals, including pedestrian phases, are at Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road. Southbound Crosspark Road traffic turning right onto westbound Oakdale Boulevard has a free flow right turn movement, except during pedestrian signal phases. This turning traffic merges quickly into the adjacent westbound lane of Oakdale Boulevard heading toward Coral Ridge Avenue.
Crosspark Road & University Parkway:
- Crosspark Road & University Parkway is a temporary T-intersection (west leg of University Parkway closed). Stop signs on Crosspark Road are removed; north-south traffic is free flow. Stop signs are added to westbound University Parkway.
Wheaton Road:
- Wheaton Road runs east-west between Coral Ridge Avenue and Crosspark Road, halfway between University Parkway and Forevergreen Road.
Crosspark Road & Wheaton Road intsersection signage has been changed:
- Northbound Crosspark Road approaching Wheaton Road can make a free flow left turn onto westbound Wheaton Road (following the detour route) or continue straight on northbound Crosspark Road toward Dunn Brothers Coffee, Hy-Vee Gas Station, etc.
- Southbound Crosspark Road approaching Wheaton Road has to stop at the intersection.
- Eastbound Wheaton Road approaching Crosspark Road (following the detour route) has a free flow right turn onto southbound Crosspark Road and is prohibited from turning left onto northbound Crosspark Road.
Coral Ridge Avenue & Forevergreen Road:
- Northbound Coral Ridge Ave approaching the Forevergreen Road traffic signals have the left/through/right movements combined into a single lane. Since a single northbound left turning vehicle creates an instant backup, the northbound Coral Ridge Avenue and southbound Ranshaw Way (Hwy 965) movements are split into separate signal phases.

Access to all businesses in the project corridor, including along the detour route, is maintained. Left turns in or out of driveways along the detour route can be difficult during peak traffic times. If possible, alter your route so you can make rights in or out of driveways, or adjust your schedule to avoid peak traffic times.
The westerly driveway to Grand Rail remains open.

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"

Watch for signs giving drivers notice that there is a merge ahead
Stay in your lane up to the point of merge
Take turns with drivers to safely ease into the remaining lane
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

Alberta Motor Association: "Zipper Merge Demonstration" (YouTube)
Kansas DOT: "How to Zipper Merge" (YouTube)
Minnesota DOT: "Zipper Merge Camera Traffic Instructional" (YouTube)

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

Sign up for e-news alerts ("Construction and Traffic Updates" category)
Like City of Coralville, Iowa on Facebook
Follow the City of Coralville, Iowa on Twitter
Join Nextdoor (a private social network for Coralville neighborhoods)
Pay attention to construction message boards along 1st Avenue during construction
Check local news for media releases
Attend weekly meetings with the City and the contractors, and open to the public:

Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 am
Coralville City Hall (1512 7th St.)
call 319.248.1720 for more information

Construction and Traffic Updates News

6th Street Connection to 1st Avenue to Re-Open on September 18

Use caution through the work zone and watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, and construction workers Read on...
1st Avenue Construction Begins Next Phase on June 4

1st Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction the entire length of the project, from just south of 6th Street to just south on 9th Street Read on...
Coral Ridge Avenue Detour Begins

Beginning Sunday evening, May 13, traffic will detour using Oakdale Boulevard, Crosspark Road, & Wheaton Road Read on...

1st Avenue Construction Begins Next Phase on April 24

6th Street to close between 1st Avenue and Baymont Inn & Suites driveway, 1st Avenue reduced to one lane in each direction near 6th Street intersection Read on...
Construction to Begin on 1st Avenue from 6th Street to 9th Street

Northbound 1st Avenue will be reduced to one lane from just south of 6th Street to just south of 9th Street Read on...
Two Major Road Reconstruction Projects Begin This Spring

Drivers should prepare for 1st Avenue & Coral Ridge Avenue road work Read on...