As part of the City’s plan to mitigate flooding in the Closes Creek Watershed, the City plans to install storm sewer along Franklin Avenue. Due to the sewer construction and the need for roadway pavement improvements, the City identified a need to look at the Franklin Avenue Corridor.
The City held a public meeting at the Northwest Community Center on June 26, 2019 to obtain input on the corridor. More than 60 residents attended and provided comments, including requests for on-street bicycle facilities, filling in sidewalk gaps along the corridor, and maintaining on-street parking on one side (preferably north) of the street.
City staff developed a concept plan for the corridor, which proposes one travel lane in each direction, buffered on-street bike lanes, parking on the north side, and filling in sidewalk gaps along the corridor. The concept plan was presented at the second public meeting on January 16, 2020.
Anticipated Schedule of Improvements Along Franklin Corridor
2020
Merle Hay Road to 48th Street:
Patch and resurface roadway; restripe with two lane cross section with buffered bike lanes and parking on north side.
Late 2021 – 2022
48th Street to Beaver Avenue:
Storm sewer installation (part of Phase 3 of the Closes Creek Watershed Improvements); roadway rehabilitation; restripe with two lane cross section with buffered bike lanes and parking on north side; fill in sidewalk gaps; improve pedestrian crossings (bumpouts).
2023 – 2024
Merle Hay Road to 48th Street:
Fill in sidewalk gaps.
Future Plan Years
Merle Hay Road to 48th Street:
Install storm sewer (part of Phase 11 of the Closes Creek Watershed Improvements).
Questions Related to Traffic and Transportation Improvements:
Jeff Wiggins
City of Des Moines Traffic and Transportation Division
515-283-4059
ENG-TT-Web@dmgov.org
Questions Related to Closes Creek Watershed (Storm Sewer) Improvements:
Matt Radermacher
City of Des Moines Engineering Department
515-283-4076
mkradermacher@DMGOV.ORG
