Coral Ridge Avenue Improvements

Highlights
Cost
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

Updates

Current & Upcoming Work*

Work August 1-11 included:

Completed excavation and installation of aggregate and amended soil in the 10 west side stormwater bio-retention cells. Placement of topsoil around the west side cells continues.
Completed placing topsoil along the east side of Coral Ridge Avenue and started finish grading for permanent seeding.
Paved the southbound Ranshaw Way right turn lane at Forevergreen Road.
Started grooving the pavement for permanent pavement marking installation.

Progress expected August 12-16, weather permitting:

Complete placement of topsoil around west side stormwater bio-retention cells.
Begin installation of the native vegetated mat in the bottom of the east side stormwater bio-retention cells, followed immediately by permanent native seeding on the side slopes of each cell.
Complete remaining street pavement pours on the northwest corner of Forevergreen Road.
Begin remainder of paver crosswalk banding across the north leg of the Coral Ridge Avenue & Forevergreen Road intersection.
Begin corner pedestrian landing work on the southeast corner of Forevergreen Road.
Complete the northeast corner pedestrian landing at Oakdale Boulevard.

Looking ahead

Final landscaping and seeding will occur in August or September (fall seeding period is August 10 to September 30).
The goal remains to have a clear project corridor with all lanes, intersections, and sidewalks open before August 23 (start of the Iowa City Community School District school year).

*Updated August 11, 2019

At a Glance

Final improvements to be completed in spring/summer 2019:

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 leg of Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway is closed. Traffic leaving the Iowa Medical and Classification Center will need to turn north or south onto Coral Ridge Avenue.

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 April-June 2019 with the City and the contractors, and open to the public: