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 spring 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

Side street closures

Coral Ridge Ave access closed at University Pkwy and at Wheaton Rd.
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.
  • Northbound Coral Ridge Avenue drivers approaching Forevergreen Road have a combined thru/left turn lane and a dedicated right turn lane. However, the north-south movements through the Forevergreen Road intersection run separately until dedicated left turn lanes are available.
Side street closures (see image)
  • The east and west legs of Coral Ridge Avenue & University Parkway (including IMCC’s northerly entrance) are closed.  
  • Wheaton Road is closed between Coral Ridge Avenue and Crosspark Road.

Updates


Current & Upcoming Work*


Work June 7-14 included:
  • Paved the northbound Coral Ridge Avenue left turn lane at Forevergreen Road.
  • Paved part of the southbound Coral Ridge Avenue left turn lane at Wheaton Road.
  • Started electrical work for lighting within the pedestrian underpass tunnel. 
  • Completed center median brick paver work between Oakdale Boulevard and University Parkway. 
  • Continued brick paver installation within crosswalks.
  • Removed silt that had washed into the pedestrian underpass tunnel and working to re-establish trail grading.
  • Paving contractor is expected to be onsite on June 15 and likely working near Wheaton Road.  
Progress expected June 14-21, weather permitting:
  • Complete the southbound and northbound Coral Ridge Avenue left turn lanes at Wheaton Road.
  • Continue center median brick pavers and landscaping north of University Parkway.
  • Begin crosswalks within the southbound lanes of Coral Ridge Avenue at University Parkway and Wheaton Road.
  • Continue lighting work within the pedestrian underpass tunnel.
  • Complete seeding and field fence installation along west side of Coral Ridge Avenue north of University Parkway.  
  • Begin trail paving near pedestrian underpass tunnel.
Looking ahead
  • The Coral Ridge Avenue project has a substantial completion date of June 28, 2019. 
  • Construction on the stormwater bio-retention cells will continue through July.  
  • Final landscaping and seeding will occur after August 10 (fall seeding period is August 10 to September 30).  
*Updated June 14, 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. Northbound Coral Ridge Avenue Traffic to Shift to Correct Side of Center Median

    Traffic remains single lane northbound and southbound, but on the correct side of the center median, beginning June 4 Read on...

  2. 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...

  1. Construction to Resume on Coral Ridge Avenue

    Construction on Coral Ridge Ave. between Oakdale Blvd. and Forevergreen Rd. will start again on April 2 Read on...
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