IOWA HIGHWAY 58 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT STUDY PROJECT UPDATE NO. 1 OCTOBER 17, 2013 INTRODUCTION This web page provides information on the Iowa Highway 58 (IA 58) Corridor Improvement Study in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Here you will find information about the project plans for upcoming activities and a place to provide your input. PURPOSE OF STUDY The Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG), along with the City of Cedar Falls and the Iowa DOT, has initiated a study of IA 58 between U.S. 20 and Greenhill Road in Cedar Falls. The purpose of this study is to examine the various needs along IA 58 and to determine a preferred design layout that would guide any future reconstruction. IA 58 Project Corridor
PROJECT DESCRIPTION IA 58 is currently a 4-lane urban highway that carries a traffic volume of approximately 18,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day. When originally constructed, this segment of IA 58 passed through mostly rural land in the south part of Cedar Falls. In the past 20-30 years, the areas surrounding IA 58 have seen extensive development, including the Cedar Falls Industrial Park, a large commercial area along Viking Road, several motels and restaurants, and other development. In addition, the City s recreational trail system has been extended through this corridor, providing access and recreational opportunities to non-motorized traffic. PURPOSE AND NEED OF PROJECT The ongoing development along IA 58 has resulted in substantial increases in traffic volumes, along with increases in traffic crashes and other traffic-related conditions. The IA 58 Corridor Study is intended to evaluate a series of alternatives to improve the traffic operations and safety along IA 58, both for current conditions and to accommodate further increases in traffic in the future. OVERVIEW AND CORRIDOR STUDY The current study began in February 2013 and will evaluate a variety of factors leading to the selection of a preferred design for IA 58. Included are such items as: Traffic Flow and Traffic Capacity Traffic Safety Access to Properties and Businesses Pedestrian Accommodations Bicycle Accommodations Impacts to Adjacent Properties Impacts to Wetlands, Wooded Areas and Other Open Areas Impacts to Parks Traffic Noise and Air Quality Other Impacts to the Environment Ability to Construct the Project Effectively Construction Cost The study is being conducted by a team of professional engineers and planners, including: Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments (INRCOG) City of Cedar Falls Iowa Department of Transportation AECOM (Lead Engineers) Robinson Engineering Company (Traffic Counts and Property Research) Tallgrass Historians (Archaeological Surveys) Stantec (Wetlands and Endangered Species Determinations) The study will evaluate a variety of potential improvements to IA 58 and connecting streets between U.S. Highway 20 and Greenhill Road, and will provide a comparison of impacts, costs and traffic operational characteristics for each alternative. This information will be used by the City and Iowa DOT to determine a preferred alternative, which would then be used for the final design and construction of the project.
EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS OF IA 58 Some of the existing characteristics of IA 58 are illustrated below: Heavy traffic on IA 58, looking south toward Viking Road. Left-turn lanes are frequently overloaded. Traffic congestion on Viking Road, east of IA 58.
IA 58 looking north from Ridgeway Avenue: rural highway with drainage ditch, utilities and recreational trail on far side. Industrial Park development along west side of IA 58, looking south toward Viking Road.
Major drainage structure on Dry Run Creek, south of Greenhill Road. This is part of the Dry Run Creek storm water detention system. Wide intersections and heavy traffic make pedestrian and bicycle crossings difficult.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE The IA 58 Corridor Improvement Study will continue through the next year and will be completed by late 2014. Some of the milestone activities that are planned include: Traffic Counts and Data Collection: Already Completed Develop Initial Concepts for IA 58: October 2013 First Public Informational Meeting: October 15, 2013 Evaluate Alternatives and Determine Preferred Layout: Mid-2014 Complete Environmental Assessment: Late 2014 Public Hearing: Late 2014 Receive Environmental Clearance: End of 2014 Design and Right-of-Way Acquisition: 2015-2016* Begin Construction (at Viking Road): 2017* *Schedules depend on funding availability and approvals. CONTACT US If you have any input, comments or questions, please contact the City Engineer by e-mail at randy.lorenzen@cedarfalls.com. You can also print and mail us a copy of the Comment Form at any time.
CITIZEN COMMENT FORM TO: RE: Mr. Randy Lorenzen, P.E. City Engineer City of Cedar Falls 220 Clay Street Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 randy.lorenzen@cedarfalls.com IA 58 Corridor Study Public Informational Meeting October 15, 2013 Comments: Please Return by October 31, 2013 I (do do not ) desire a response. Name: Address: Phone: e-mail: P:\60287018\300_ProjAdmin\306_Review_Meeting\10-17-13 WEBPAGE WRITE-UP.docx