September 1, 2023 - Urbandale Water Main Upgrades to Enhance Infrastructure and Community Safety
The Urbandale Water Utility is set to undertake a vital project to strengthen the city's water infrastructure, prioritizing community safety and resilience. The project, focused on water main improvements near Urbandale High School along 70th Street from Madison Avenue to Aurora Avenue, marks a significant step towards strengthening the water distribution network for Urbandale residents.
A key aspect of this initiative involves the installation of approximately 2,200 feet of new water main within the western right-of-way of 70th Street. By replacing an aging water main, the Urbandale Water Utility aims to mitigate potential breaks, while also enhancing firefighting capabilities to bolster emergency response efforts.
Beginning on Saturday, September 9, 2023, the contractor will begin installing a new water main at the intersection of 70th Street and Aurora Avenue, resulting in a complete closure of the west leg of the intersection. This full closure is expected from Saturday, September 9 to Tuesday, September 12. Traffic will be detoured around the project site utilizing 71st Street and Prairie Avenue.
Following the completion of the water main installation at the 70th Street and Aurora Avenue intersection, the water main installation will continue to progress south along 70th Street towards Madison Avenue. The new water main will be installed in the west right-of-way of 70th Street. Closures of the outside southbound lane will occur in manageable, block-by-block intervals, ensuring a seamless flow of both traffic and progress. Crucially, water service line transfers will necessitate periodic closures of both the southbound and northbound lanes, alongside temporary closures of intersecting streets during critical connection procedures.
Residents and commuters are urged to be vigilant and plan their travel routes accordingly to circumvent the work zone. Please exercise caution and keep children and pets away from the construction area.
Due to the seasonal constraints imposed by Iowa’s weather conditions, and the resulting suspension of construction activities during the winter months, the projected completion date for this project is in June 2024.