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' path along the west side of Coral Ridge Avenue
New storm sewer system and stormwater quality enhancements
Roadway lighting
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 to this project since a portion of the project is located within North Liberty.

Timeline

Estimated start: March 2018, weather permitting
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 will be traffic delays
One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on Coral Ridge Avenue through the project corridor
Detour, approximately mid-May through mid-November: Coral Ridge Avenue traffic will detour using Oakdale Boulevard, Crosspark Road, and Wheaton Road to give the contractor full access to this section of the roadway. While it is inconvenient, this temporary closure will speed up the overall project timeline.
Access to businesses will be maintained at all times
Pedestrian access will be maintained using temporary surfacing and channelizing barriers

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

Northbound and southbound Coral Ridge Avenue each have a combined thru/right turn lane and a dedicated left turn lane at the Oakdale Boulevard intersection, and east-west traffic on Oakdale Boulevard runs head-to-head on the north side of the center medians.
Beginning April 23 at the Oakdale Boulevard and Crosspark Road intersection, eastbound Oakdale Boulevard traffic will be kept on the north side of the center median, running head-to-head with westbound traffic, from Coral Ridge Avenue to the east side of the CRANDIC railroad crossing.
Westbound Forevergreen Road is reduced to one lane between Jordan Street and Coral Ridge Avenue.

Current & Upcoming Work

Work completed the week of April 16 includes:

All existing traffic signal poles and bases were removed at the Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard intersection. Work on the new light pole and traffic signal bases at this intersection will begin April 20.
A communications conduit was installed along Oakdale Boulevard between Coral Ridge Avenue and Crosspark Road that will allow for coordination between the two temporary signal installations and also remote monitoring of traffic flow using pan-tilt-zoom cameras that will be installed at each intersection.
The sidewalk connection at the northeast corner of Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road was paved and will be backfilled April 20.
The final concrete pour on the southwest corner of Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard is scheduled for April 20 along with a portion of the northeast corner at Forevergreen Road.

Work expected the week of April 23:

At 9:00 am on Monday, April 23, traffic control will be modified (again) at the Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road intersection. The modification will keep eastbound Oakdale Boulevard traffic on the north side of the center median, running head-to-head with westbound traffic, from Coral Ridge Avenue to the east side of the CRANDIC railroad crossing. This will eliminate the problematic lane shift at the Crosspark Road intersection.
The concrete paver treatments on the southeast and southwest corners of Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard will be ongoing for the next two weeks.
The remainder of the new westbound Forevergreen Road right turn lane will be paved.
The existing center median on the east leg of the Coral Ridge Avenue & Oakdale Boulevard intersection will be modified to provide an easier northbound Coral Ridge Avenue right turn movement when Segment A-2 gets underway.

Looking ahead:

Segment A-2 will get underway. Segment A-2 traffic control will not significantly change the current traffic flow (see Resources - Maps and Documents: "Coral Ridge Avenue project schedule").
Segment B-1 (the big detour) is still on schedule to begin May 14.

*Updated April 19, 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

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

Traffic Control Modification at Oakdale Boulevard & Crosspark Road Intersection

Begins Monday, April 23 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...
Lane Reduction on Forevergreen Road

Westbound Forevergreen Road will be reduced to one lane between Jordan Street and Coral Ridge Avenue beginning March 29 Read on...