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*

 

Meetings

 
Weekly job meetings are Thursdays at 10:00 am at City Hall, until further notice. The public is welcome to attend and participate.

Lane Closures/ Traffic Changes

 
  • Coral Ridge Avenue traffic detours using Oakdale Boulevard, Crosspark Road, and Wheaton Road (May 14 until late October/early November)

Current & Upcoming Work*


Work completed the week of June 11:
  • The new street pavement in Segment B-1 (north half of Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard intersection) is almost done. The final two pours, both small, should happen on June 15.
  • Excavation for the new 14’ W x 10’ H x 100’ L box culvert is complete. Four sections of the box culvert have been unloaded near the excavation. The sections will be placed using the large crane that is onsite. The box culvert will become the bike/pedestrian underpass tunnel located about 250’ north of Oakdale Boulevard.
  • Traffic signal pole bases have been poured on the northeast and northwest corners of Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard.
  • Storm sewer work in Segment C-1 is complete. Storm sewer work in Segment B-2 is ongoing. 
  • Grading work in Segment B-2 is nearly complete. The only remaining work is at the four corners of Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway.
  • The modified subbase layer (a special gravel mix) has been placed on the Coral Ridge Avenue portion of Segment C-2. This gravel layer helps improve the pavement support structure by reducing the stress applied to the underlying soil and by removing excess water from under the pavement, with the goal of maximizing pavement lifespan. 
Work expected the week of June 18:
  • Continue with storm sewer and water main in Segment B-2.
  • Set concrete forms for the northeast and northwest corner landings at Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard. 
  • Place modified subbase along the south side of Forevergreen Road west of Coral Ridge Avenue, and begin concrete pours, weather permitting. This will construct the new dedicated right turn lane for eastbound Forevergreen Road turning right onto southbound Coral Ridge Avenue.
  • Begin setting box culvert sections.
Looking ahead:
  • We expect Segment B-1 to be complete just before the July 4th holiday. This will open up most of the reconstructed Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard intersection, including the much anticipated additional turn lanes on Oakdale Boulevard.  
Updated June 14, 2018

Coral Ridge Avenue Detour

Coral Ridge Ave Detour

Detour on Coral Ridge Avenue (May 14 until late October/early November)

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. 
    • Traffic on Oakdale Boulevard east and west of Coral Ridge Avenue runs head-to-head on the south side of the center raised median.  
  • 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.  Southbound Ranshaw Way has dedicated left and right turn lanes in addition to the through lane.  
Business access:
  • 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.
Key dates:
  • We expect Segment B-1 to be complete just before the July 4th holiday. This will open up most of the reconstructed Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard intersection, including the additional turn lanes on Oakdale Boulevard.  The new traffic signals and roadway lighting will also be operating at the intersection. The north leg of the intersection will still be closed at that time as work continues on Segment B-2.   

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. Highway 6 Resurfacing from Hawkins Drive to the Clear Creek Bridge

    Work on this Iowa DOT project will occur between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am, Sunday through Thursday, to minimize traffic disruptions 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. Highway 6 – Deer Creek Rd to Interstate 380

    Depending on where the contractor is working, the traffic signals at the westerly Lowes driveway and at Jones Blvd. may be in flashing red mode Read on...

  1. Coral Ridge Avenue Detour Begins

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

  2. Traffic Control Modification at Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road Intersection

    Begins Monday, April 23 Read on...

  3. 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...
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