Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements

Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements: Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road


Coral Ridge Avenue from Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road is undergoing total reconstruction in 2018. This is the final section of Coral Ridge Avenue that needs to be improved.

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

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
ROAD WORK sign

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
Coral Ridge Ave weekly meeting

Updates


Current & Upcoming Work*

Coral Ridge Avenue re-opens November 16:
  • Coral Ridge Avenue re-opens to traffic between Oakdale Boulevard and Forevergreen Road starting around 9:00 am and will complete around noon. 
    • Coral Ridge Avenue will be one lane in each direction through the project corridor to allow contractors to work from the other lanes.
    • Southbound Coral Ridge Avenue will widen into four lanes (2 thru, 1 left, 1 right) just before reaching Oakdale Boulevard. 
    • Retaining wall repair reduces southbound Coral Ridge Avenue to one lane as you drive south of Oakdale Boulevard. 
  • The detour route signage will be removed.
  • Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road will revert back to a two-way stop controlled intersection with Oakdale Boulevard free-flow.
  • Crosspark Road & University Parkway will become an all-way stop.  Message boards will be running on Crosspark Road approaching University Parkway to remind drivers of the new stop signs.
  • As soon as the detour route is no longer needed, pavement removal will begin on the east half of the Coral Ridge Avenue & Wheaton Road intersection.
Work completed the week of November 12:
  • Completed guardrails along Coral Ridge Avenue near the pedestrian under pass tunnel.
  • Continued center median work (brick pavers, soil, plantings). 
  • Placed topsoil along west side of Coral Ridge Avenue. 
  • Continued installing light pole footings.  
  • Graded pedestrian areas on the NE and NW corners of Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard (sidewalks had yet poured).  Pedestrians will be able to cross the north leg of Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard with help from the new pedestrian push button signal. 
Work expected the week of November 19:
  • Complete sidewalk connections at Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard.
  • Complete storm sewer and place modified subbase on the east half of Coral Ridge Avenue & Wheaton Road.
  • Complete additional intersection and turn lane paving at both University Parkway and Wheaton Road.
  • Complete brick pavers and plantings in center median between University Parkway and Wheaton Road. 
  • Continue roadway lighting foundations along entire project corridor and continue installing light poles. 
Looking ahead:
  • The project is scheduled for substantial completion in late-November.
*Updated November 15, 2018
Coral Ridge Ave access closed at University Pkwy and at Wheaton Rd.

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


  1. Coral Ridge Avenue Re-Opens on November 16

    Expect one lane of traffic in each direction between Oakdale Blvd. & Forevergreen Rd. Read on...

  2. Temporary Coral Ridge Avenue Trail Closure

    The trail between Oakdale Blvd. and the underpass tunnel near Heartland Dr./Holiday Rd. will close for three weeks to repair a retaining wall Read on...

  3. 1st Avenue Traffic Shifts to New West Half

    Traffic shift begins after morning rush hour on Wednesday, October 24. Read on...

  1. 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...

  2. 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...

  3. Coral Ridge Avenue Detour Begins

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