Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements

Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements: Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road


Coral Ridge Avenue from Oakdale Boulevard to Forevergreen Road underwent total reconstruction in 2018 and will continue in 2019. This is the final section of Coral Ridge Avenue that needs to be improved.
  1. Highlights
  2. Cost
  3. Timeline

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

At a Glance


Final improvements to be completed in spring/summer 2019:
  • The initial focus is to complete final street, median, and sidewalk construction on the east half of Coral Ridge Avenue between University Parkway and Forevergreen Road
  • 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
Summer 2019 traffic impact:
  • Expect lane closures, with efforts to minimize traffic impact
  • Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction through most of the project corridor until the project nears completion.
Street closures
  • The east and west legs of Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway (including IMCC’s northerly entrance) are closed.  
  • From July 18 until approximately mid-August, eastbound Forevergreen Road will be closed between Coral Ridge Avenue and Jordan Street. 
    • Eastbound Forevergreen Road traffic will detour south on Coral Ridge Avenue, east on Wheaton Road to Crosspark Road, then back north to Forevergreen Road. 
    • The detour is needed to complete work on the southeast corner of the Coral Ridge Avenue and Forevergreen Road intersection. Westbound Forevergreen Road traffic will be maintained through the work zone. 

Updates


Current & Upcoming Work*


Work June 27-July 11 included:
  • Completed all center median brick paver work.
  • Re-routed pedestrians through the new underpass tunnel north of Oakdale Bouleveard; poured sections of the corner pedestrian landings on the northeast and northwest corners of Oakdale Boulevard.
  • Continued concrete pours and brick paver installation at the University Parkway and Wheaton Road corner pedestrian landings.  
  • Opened the northbound Coral Ridge Avenue left turn lane at Forevergreen Road on July 11. 
  • Started removals and grading for the new southbound Ranshaw Way right turn lane onto Forevergreen Road.
  • Continued working on crosswalks within the southbound lanes of Coral Ridge Avenue.
Progress expected July 12-18, weather permitting:
  • On July 15, power up the new traffic signals at Forevergreen Road and then begin removing the old traffic signals and poles. 
  • Complete crosswalks and corner landings at both University Parkway (3 of the 4 corners) and Wheaton Road.
  • Complete corner landings and connecting sidewalks at the northeast and northwest corner landings at Oakdale Boulevard.
  • Continue with final grading and temporary seeding where possible.
  • Pave southbound Ranshaw Way right turn lane at Forevergreen Road.
  • A detour of eastbound Forevergreen Road traffic will be needed to complete the southeast corner landing at Forevergreen Road and the remaining crosswalk paver bands on the east leg of the intersection. The detour will use Coral Ridge Avenue, Wheaton Road, and Crosspark Road.  The closure will be from July 17 until mid-August.
Looking ahead
  • The Coral Ridge Avenue project had a substantial completion date of June 28, 2019. 
  • Construction on the stormwater bio-retention cells will resume the week of July 22 and continue through August.  Some of this work will require lane closures, but the extent and duration of the lane closures will be minimized.  
  • Final landscaping and seeding will occur after August 10 (fall seeding period is August 10 to September 30).  
*Updated July 12, 2019
Coral Ridge Ave weekly meeting

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. Eastbound Forevergreen Road Detour Begins July 18

    Eastbound Forevergreen Rd. will be closed between Coral Ridge Ave. & Jordan St. until approximately mid-August; follow detour signs. Read on...

  2. 10th Street Reopens Between 19th & 20th Avenues

    Maintenance work was completed ahead of schedule Read on...

  1. Iowa River Trail Closure

    Trail between the Iowa River Power Restaurant parking lot & E. 7th Street/Quarry Road intersection closed until further notice Read on...
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