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Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements
News: All four through lanes on Coral Ridge Avenue opened in December 2018. Work will continue in spring 2019.
For more information, see "Updates" below.
Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements: Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road
Coral Ridge Avenue from Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road underwent 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
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, (driving lanes, trail, and traffic signals)
- Landscaping and final work: Spring 2019, weather permitting, with final completion in July 2019 (date change from June 2019 due to weather).
Contact Us
-
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*
Four through lanes are open:
- All four through lanes on Coral Ridge Avenue are opened in December 2019
- The east and west legs of Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway (including IMCC’s northerly entrance) are closed.
- Wheaton Road is closed between Coral Ridge Avenue and Crosspark Road.
- As you near Forevergreen Road, northbound Coral Ridge Avenue widens to three lanes (see image). The area shaded red is the permanent northbound left turn lane that will be paved in spring 2019. It will remain barricaded through winter.
- Message boards on northbound Coral Ridge Avenue approaching Forevergreen Road read THRU TRAFFIC…RIGHT LANE.
- Pavement markings, signage, and digital message boards are used to reinforce lane usage approaching Forevergreen Road
- The traffic signal heads are adjusted to line up with the appropriate lanes. The traffic signals at Coral Ridge Avenue & Forevergreen Road allow the northbound and southbound through lanes to move at the same time.
Major work items to be completed in winter 2018-2019 (as conditions allow):
- New traffic signals at the Forevergreen Road and Wheaton Road intersections. Both are expected to be complete by late February 2019, but Wheaton Road will remain closed until additional paving is completed in spring 2019.
- Ongoing roadway lighting installation
Final improvements to be completed in spring 2019:
*Updated February 14, 2019- 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
Looking ahead:
- Drivers should expect lane closures in spring 2019, but efforts will be made to minimize traffic impact
- Project is scheduled to be complete in July 2019 (date change from June 2019 due to weather)
Project corridor through winter
Coral Ridge Avenue northbound
Resources
Maps & Documents
- Project map and construction staging plan (PDF)
- Coral Ridge Avenue project schedule (PDF) - updated November 9, 2018
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: August 21"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: July 31"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: July 10"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: June 25"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: June 5"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: Week of May 14"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: Week of April 30"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: Week of April 16"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: Week of April 9"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: Week of April 2"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Update: Week of March 26"
- "Coral Ridge Avenue Road Reconstruction: The Basics" (March 20, 2018)
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
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
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All Four Lanes of Coral Ridge Avenue to Open on December 19
A welcome addition for drivers marks a major milestone in the Coral Ridge Avenue improvements project Read on...
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