UPDATE: Which Cedar Falls Streets Will Be Blocked as Road Construction Season Kicks Off?

Roads will be closed or partially blocked in Cedar Falls starting this week as summer road construction season starts. A portion of Orchard Drive will be closed and part of Seerley Boulevard will be partially blocked. Survey work will also block some traffic on University Avenue this week. Read more about these projects, including alternate trash pickup and estimated project timetables, below.

From the City of Cedar Falls website:

University Avenue:

The Iowa Department of Transportation will be conducting survey work on University Avenue from the junction of Iowa 58 to U.S. 63. The work will entail three vehicles travelling side-by-side on the road, preventing other vehicles from passing.

This work will include a specially equipped van taking high resolution scans of the roadway. Three DOT vehicles will be following the van side-by-side so traffic does not disrupt the collection of data. The survey is scheduled to take place Wednesday, April 25 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., weather permitting.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

Orchard Drive:

The City of Cedar Falls has awarded the 2012 Street Reconstruction Project to Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck, Iowa. This contractor will reconstruct portions of five (5) streets as a part of this project. Funding for this project is provided by the 1% Local Option Sales Tax.

Beginning Wednesday, April 25th, 2012, the contractor will begin Stage 1 reconstruction of Orchard Drive by closing Orchard Drive from 1220 Orchard Drive to 1431 Orchard Drive. In order for the contractor to begin pavement removal, a full road closure will be required. The road closure will be in effect for six to eight weeks, depending on the weather.

During the closure, alternate garbage pickup points will be required for residents who normally place automated collection carts within the closure area on Orchard Drive. Residents can place their collection carts on the open portion of Orchard Drive or either intersection at Carlton Drive during this stage of the street closure. This should be done on the normal collection day for that particular street.

Seerley Boulevard:

The City of Cedar Falls has awarded the 2012 Street Restoration Project to ASPRO Inc. of Waterloo, Iowa. This contractor will be reconstructing/repairing portions of seventeen (17) streets as a part of this project. Funding for this project is provided by the 1% Local Option Sales Tax.

Beginning Monday, April 23, 2012, the contractor will begin the Stage 1A reconstruction of Seerley Boulevard by closing the westbound lane of Seerley Boulevard from Olive Street to Tremont Street. In order for the contractor to begin water service work and pavement removal, a westbound lane closure will be required. The westbound lane closure will be in effect for six to eight weeks, depending on the weather. Two-lane head-to-head traffic will be allowed on the eastbound lane of Seerley Boulevard.

During the westbound lane closure on Seerley Boulevard, alternate garbage pickup points will be required for residents having automated collection within the closure area. Residents may place their collection carts on the open portion of Olive Street, Walnut Street, Iowa Street, and Tremont Street. This should be done on the normal collection day for the particular street and carts should be retrieved on the same day.

For both Orchard and Seerley projects:

For safety's sake, please stay away from the construction area. Heavy equipment will be moving back and forth on the closed street. It would be advisable to stay behind the sidewalk on the property side during the reconstruction work.

Yard waste collection carts can be placed curbside at the same location as the garbage collection carts for Monday pickup. Yard waste may also be taken to the transfer station in any type of container when the transfer station is open.

If you want to receive road closure notices by e-mail, the City of Cedar Falls has a “Notify Me” feature on the City web page at www.cedarfalls.com. Select “Notify Me” under the services drop down menu on the home page, and then follow the instructions for road construction as shown.

If you have any questions or concerns during the course of construction you may contact me or the City Engineer, Randy Lorenzen, by phone, fax or e-mail as listed below.

Thank you,

Matthew M. Hosford, EI
Civil Engineer I
City of Cedar Falls
220 Clay Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-268-5164
Fax: 319-268-5197
Cell: 319-230-2186
Matthew.Hosford@cedarfalls.com

Randy Lorenzen, P.E.
City Engineer
Phone: 319-268-5161
Randy.Lorenzen@cedarfalls.com