North Ankeny Blvd Construction

[alarson]

Why would they not put that Walmart out by Costco? Jamming up 36th near all the residential neighborhoods seems like a ****** plan.

I would argue that shoving all the major retail out near Costco just creates the potential to have a second disaster like Delaware.

That lot, sitting at the intersection of two major arterial roads (one being a US highway) makes total sense for big box retail. To the west and south is multifamily/high density residential and the only "neighborhood" that's close is off the sw corner and separated by a retention pond.

Personally I think Ankeny council should approve this, as it will help relieve stress on the Delaware area. Plus, given prior comments in Ankeny groups, the same people complaining about this will complain when this area fills with the high density apartments that it is currently zoned for

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Using this thread to complain how long the median construction has been taking on Mills Civic in WDSM. Not a huge headache, but really congrats during rush hour.

Yeah that's a real mess. I've stopped using Mills Civic and come over the back way on EP.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

It’s 2025. Inconveniences today > logical and thoughtful changes for the future. Get with the program.

That's kind of the problem with Ankeny though. The growth trend has been steep since the 90's but the city refuses to build the infrastructure right the first time. It's insane how poorly they have planned.

 

[alarson]

That pavement has been falling apart for years!! The IDOT has applied band-aids by trying to patch it, but the joints are falling apart.

Just out of curiosity, how do you propose they construct this? Do you want them to flat out close the road and construct it quicker? I don't think that's what the businesses would want. They are providing right-in, right-out access at strategic locations, most of the businesses are connected with internal circulation to 5th and/or 9th.

The project is needed and long overdue. Oh, and wait until they start on the segment to the south between 1st Street and Peterson Drive. Those businesses do not have the luxury of alternate access points.

I think the problem with a lot of road construction in Ankeny is that so much of it is so overdue that when it does happen it is that much more of a headache. Add to that, it seems like planning is not a strength so that when a project is done the broader area is not well considered so oftentimes they end up having to tear up an adjacent area soon after instead of doing the broader project right the first time.

Doesn't help that a couple of the major roads running through Ankeny (like Ankeny Blvd and oralabor) are state-controlled roads so projects on those go in the state queue which is also often a decade+ overdue (and generally feels more reactive than proactive) by the time projects get going

 

[Pope]

I would rather drive through downtown Chicago during Friday rush hour with a semi full of nuclear waste than drive through Ankeny.

And us Ankeny residents are supposed to feel bad about that? We won't miss you at all.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I think the problem with a lot of road construction in Ankeny is that so much of it is so overdue that when it does happen it is that much more of a headache. Add to that, it seems like planning is not a strength so that when a project is done the broader area is not well considered so oftentimes they end up having to tear up an adjacent area soon after instead of doing the broader project right the first time.

Doesn't help that a couple of the major roads running through Ankeny (like Ankeny Blvd and oralabor) are state-controlled roads so projects on those go in the state queue which is also often a decade+ overdue (and generally feels more reactive than proactive) by the time projects get going

It feels like they have been working on Delaware north of 1st st since the Busch administration.

 

[Pope]

That's kind of the problem with Ankeny though. The growth trend has been steep since the 90's but the city refuses to build the infrastructure right the first time. It's insane how poorly they have planned.

Yeah, those idiot Ankeny city managers should have planned for 2,300% growth in population over the last 60 years. What were they thinking?

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Yeah, those idiot Ankeny city managers should have planned for 2,300% growth in population over the last 60 years. What were they thinking?

LOL why do Ankeny peeps defend the poor planning? The growth chart has been the same since the late 90's. Yeah I get the old part of town is going to be a challenge but they make the same mistakes over and over in the newly developed areas too. It's not just the roads either. Ankeny really screwed up their storm water and sewer systems as well.

 

[Pope]

And that is due mainly in part of the speed limit between Ames and Ankeny sometimes approaching 100 mph.

I've commuted from Ankeny to Iowa State for 40 years. It takes me less time to get to the edge of Ames than it does to get from the edge of Ames to my ISU office.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I work in Ankeny and went out for lunch on Wednesday. I'm almost back now

 

[Cyched]

LOL why do Ankeny peeps defend the poor planning? The growth chart has been the same since the late 90's. Yeah I get the old part of town is going to be a challenge but they make the same mistakes over and over in the newly developed areas too. It's not just the roads either. Ankeny really screwed up their storm water and sewer systems as well.

While it’s easy to say things should’ve been done sooner, securing funding and prioritizing projects in the CIP budget isn’t that easy.

Not to mention hiring a consultant to put together design/plans, public information meetings, ROW negotiations, DOT clearances/permits if a state highway…it’s a whole process.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

While it’s easy to say things should’ve been done sooner, securing funding and prioritizing projects in the CIP budget isn’t that easy.

Not to mention hiring a consultant to put together design/plans, public information meetings, ROW negotiations, DOT clearances/permits if a state highway…it’s a whole process.

You won't find a suburban area that has planned more poorly than Ankeny. Waukee is at least putting some vision behind their plans instead of throwing in another two lane road...

 

[FerShizzle]

Yeah, those idiot Ankeny city managers should have planned for 2,300% growth in population over the last 60 years. What were they thinking?

I greatly appreciate them spending their money on current residents. Not future residents.

 

[3TrueFans]

I've commuted from Ankeny to Iowa State for 40 years. It takes me less time to get to the edge of Ames than it does to get from the edge of Ames to my ISU office.

Highways/interstates vs. city roads? Even still though, doubt.

 

[nfrine]

I work in Ankeny and went out for lunch on Wednesday. I'm almost back now

Better head home now or you will miss the weekend.

 

[houjix]

I can drive from Ames to Des Moines faster than I can drive from East to West Ankeny. It's incredible.

My friends live in North Ankeny and my MIL lives just south of Ankeny. I can get to my friends' house from West Des Moines in about the same time to get from the MIL's to my friends' house.

 

[ackatch]

And us Ankeny residents are supposed to feel bad about that? We won't miss you at all.

Don't want to be missed. I have absolutely zero need to go to Ankeny other than sometimes to my dads office and that's right off the interstate.

 

[BigTurk]

You're in luck then, because that intersection is in the capital improvement plan to get redone.

Or perhaps you're not in luck because in typical Ankeny fashion it's being done 10 years too late and by the time it happens your kids will have aged out of playing sports at Prairie Ridge.

Ankeny planners seem to be really bad at thinking ahead. Look at the mess at Oralabor and 2nd. I little forethought could have prevented that headache.

 

[AgronAlum]

Ankeny planners seem to be really bad at thinking ahead. Look at the mess at Oralabor and 2nd. I little forethought could have prevented that headache.

The biggest head scratcher for me is the lack of right hand turn lanes at busy intersections. There is ample room at a ton of them. I will never understand it.

 

[Turn2]

That's kind of the problem with Ankeny though. The growth trend has been steep since the 90's but the city refuses to build the infrastructure right the first time. It's insane how poorly they have planned.

When I followed my physician from Ankeny to Waukee I couldn't believe it the first time I exited I-80 at Grand Prairie Parkway north. It was like gliding into the Denver Airport from the high plains.