Public input requested for proposed interchange improvements at I-80 and 1st Avenue in Coralville
Author
Published
5/6/2021
The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting public input for proposed improvements to Interstate 80 and right of way needs at the 1st Avenue interchange in Coralville, Johnson County. The proposed improvements include reconstruction of the interchange at Exit 242/1st Avenue in Coralville, on I-80, with a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The project is anticipated to take place starting Fall 2022. The roadway and bridge work is expected to be completed after two construction seasons, with final trail, landscaping, erosion control, and other related work occurring in the 3rd year.
The project will utilize staged construction, including temporary pavement, so there will be limited brief closures with no planned large disruption of traffic on 1st Avenue or I-80.
An online public meeting is now available to view on the Iowa DOT’s Public Involvement webpage: www.iowadot.gov/pim. To view the meeting and related content, click on “Interstate 80 and 1st Avenue, Johnson County” from the list of public involvement events. The online meeting allows you to watch a pre-recorded presentation with information about the project at your own pace and at any time. There is also a video which shows travelers how to navigate a diverging diamond interchange. The Iowa DOT is asking interested parties to take a few minutes to view the information and offer any feedback. If you do not have access to the internet, or need assistance viewing the materials, please contact the DOT representative listed below.
The 1st Avenue shared use path is located on the eastern edge of the City of Coralville starting north of Interstate 80 and running along 1st Avenue across the Interstate 80/1st Ave. Interchange. This trail is owned and operated by the City of Coralville and consists of a shared use path crossing Interstate 80 providing access to city trails. The proposed project will reconstruct the current trail along with a new pedestrian bridge. The existing trail will be removed, and construction of new trail may take one to two years to complete. During this time, there will be disruptions to the 1st Avenue shared use side path traffic across the interchange.
The 1st Avenue shared use path has been determined to be a Section 4(f) resource and the reconstruction of the trail across the interchange is expected to have a de minimis impact on the resource.
Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 was enacted as a means of protecting publicly owned parks, recreation areas, and wildlife/waterfowl refuges, as well as historic sites of local, state, or national significance from conversion to transportation uses. De minimis impacts are defined as those that, after consideration of any measure(s) to minimize harm (such as avoidance, minimization, mitigation, or enhancement measures), do not adversely affect the activities, features, and attributes of the Section 4(f) resource. The public is invited to review the impacts of the proposed interchange project on the protected activities, features, and attributes of the trail by contacting Michael Delp (see below).
An online public meeting is now available to view on the Iowa DOT’s Public Involvement webpage: www.iowadot.gov/pim. To view the meeting and related content, click on “Interstate 80 and 1st Avenue, Johnson County” from the list of public involvement events. The online meeting allows you to watch a pre-recorded presentation with information about the project at your own pace and at any time. There is also a video which shows travelers how to navigate a diverging diamond interchange. The Iowa DOT is asking interested parties to take a few minutes to view the information and offer any feedback. If you do not have access to the internet, or need assistance viewing the materials, please contact the DOT representative listed below.
For general information regarding the proposed work or online public meeting, contact Catherine Cutler, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 6 Office, 5455 Kirkwood Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404, phone 319-364-0235 or 800-866-4368, email catherine.cutler@iowadot.us. For information regarding impacts to the trail please contact Michael Delp, NEPA planner, Location & Environment Bureau, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010, phone 515-233-7973, email Michael.delp@iowadot.us.
Visit the Iowa DOT’s project-related public involvement event website at www.iowadot.gov/pim for information about scheduled public meetings and hearings, or view and offer input on any DOT project using the new “Map Search” feature. Comments and questions regarding the online meeting should be received by May 27, 2021. If you would like to receive future email notifications, or submit a comment or question regarding this project, go to: www.bit.ly/iowadot17061.
Want more news on this topic? Farm Bureau members may subscribe for a free email news service, featuring the farm and rural topics that interest them most!