E. Army Post Road Project

Project Overview

The Engineering Department and JEO Consulting Group have completed a corridor study of E Army Post Road from SE 14th Street to US Highway 65. The corridor study was initiated due to a history of severe crashes along the corridor, continued development in the City's southeast portion, and anticipation of other projects currently planned in the area. NOTE: While the study is completed, the study is still being reviewed and finalized. Once the final steps are complete, the study will be posted.

Goal of Study

The goals of the study are to identify short and long-term recommendations to address:

  • Safety concerns
  • Anticipated traffic growth
  • Multimodal improvements and connectivity

View Visual Concept

City Project Manager
Corey Bogenreif, PE
City of Des Moines Traffic and Transportation Division
Phone
(515)-283-4973
Email
Transportation@dmgov.org

Study Findings and Recommendations

Safety

  • Rear-end collisions were the most frequent crash type
  • Broadside, single vehicle, and head-on crashes were over-represented among fatal/injury crashes
  • Speed was a primary driver behind injury corridor crashes
  • Segment from SE 14th to Indianola had a crash rate 30% higher than the statewide average for similar corridors

Access Management

  • From SE 14th Street to Indianola Avenue, driveway spacing is likely a contributing factor to a high crash rate
  • Restricting future access points to 1/4 mile spacing, medians, and other access management practices are recommended to minimize vehicle conflict points

Pedestrian, Bicycles, and Transit

  • The existing paved shoulder does not meet City standards based on the speeds on E Army Post Road
  • Improved sidewalk/bicycle connectivity along the corridor is recommended
  • Transit service is not planned by DART, and there is not enough existing or planned density to justify a transit route on E Army Post Road
  • Speed was a primary driver behind injury corridor crashes
  • Segment from SE 14th to Indianola had a crash rate 30% higher than the statewide average for similar corridors

Traffic Operations

  • Traffic growth is expected to continue
  • Several intersection improvements are recommended to address traffic growth as well as safety concerns (broadside crashes, speeding, etc.)

The study includes several recommendations based on these findings, including:

  • Lowering the existing speed limit
  • Restricting future access points (driveways and City Streets) to 1/4 mile spacing
  • Reconstruct E Army Post from SE 14th Street to Indianola Road from a 2-lane rural cross-section to a 3-lane cross-section with one lane of traffic in either direction, a two-way center left turn lane, and curb and gutters
  • A shared use path on the north side of E Army Post Road
  • Intersection improvements to existing intersections, including additional turn lanes and roundabouts

Public Open House

What Happens Next?

Who do I contact if I have questions?