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' 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, weather permitting (driving lanes, trail, and traffic signals)
Landscaping and final work: Spring 2019, weather permitting

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

Updates

Current & Upcoming Work*

Work completed the week of June 18:

Completed all street pavement within Segment B-1 (north half of Coral Ridge Avenue and Oakdale Boulevard intersection). The brick pavers for the last section of crosswalk border in the northwest corner will be installed on June 25.
Completed installation of the 14' W x 10' H x 100' L box culverts sections, including wingwalls, for the bike/pedestrian tunnel under Coral Ridge Avenue just north of Oakdale Boulevard.
Completed installation of signal and lighting conduits at Coral Ridge Avenue and Oakdale Boulevard.
Storm sewer work in Segment B-2 is ongoing.
Grading work in Segment B-2 is nearly complete. Only remaining work is at the four corners of Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway.

Work expected the week of June 25:

Complete storm sewer work on Coral Ridge Avenue between University Parkway and Wheaton Road (northerly half of Segment B-2) and then continue working south of University Parkway.
Set concrete forms for the northeast and northwest corner landings at Coral Ridge Avenue and Oakdale Boulevard.
Place modified subbase along the south side of Forevergreen Road, west of Coral Ridge Avenue, for the new eastbound Forevergreen Road right turn lane. Weather permitting, begin concrete pours on either Forevergreen Road or the new southbound lanes of Coral Ridge Avenue south of Forevergreen Road (Segment C-2).
Traffic control change: if all goes as planned, the Coral Ridge Avenue and Oakdale Boulevard intersection will re-open on or before Friday, June 29. The north leg of the intersection will remain closed.

Looking ahead:

Open Segment B-1 on or before Friday, June 29. This will open up most of the reconstructed Coral Ridge Avenue and Oakdale Boulevard intersection and it will put Oakdale Boulevard drivers back on the correct side of the center median. The full Oakdale Boulevard and Crosspark Road intersection will re-open at the same time. The temporary signals at both intersections will be adjusted to accommodate the additional lane usage. The overall detour route remains unchanged.

*Updated June 21, 2018

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.

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)
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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

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...
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...
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...

Coral Ridge Avenue Detour Begins

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