We've known this was in the works for the last few years, but now the South 16th widening is officially on the clock.
Scheduled to be finished in 2026.
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Executive Summary: To widen South 16th Street from two lanes to four lanes, ISU requests Board approval to grant a permanent roadway easement to the City of Ames at no cost to either party.
Background: The easement would document and support the widening of a portion of South 16th Street, immediately southeast of Jack Trice Stadium, from University Boulevard to Apple Place. The City of Ames road widening project would also include replacement of curbs and gutters, storm sewer improvements, new 10-foot-wide bike/pedestrian trails on both sides of the new fourlane roadway, traffic control improvements and a culvert extension at Worrell Creek.
Reconstruction of South 16th Street would complete the linkage between Duff Avenue and University Boulevard which would improve vehicle safety and capacity. Bike/pedestrian trails on each side of the road would also enhance safety by clearly separating bikers and pedestrians from the roadway edge. Key linkages with existing bike/pedestrian trails would be established.
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To address these constraints, the City has pursued a project to reconstruct and widen South 16th Street to four lanes from University Boulevard to Veterinary Medicine Trail, transform the roadway into an urban cross section with curb and gutter, and traffic control improvements at Christensen Drive and South Riverside Drive. The proposed project would include extension of box culvert at Worrell Creek, and multi-use trail along the south and north side of South 16th Street from University Boulevard to Veterinary Medicine Trail.
The design of this project is nearing completion. The plans have been reviewed by ISU and City staff at the preliminary plan stage. The final plans are scheduled to be submitted to Iowa State University and Iowa DOT for a February bid letting. The current plan is to begin Phase I of the construction in Spring 2025 and begin Phase II of the construction in Spring 2026.