Downtown 1st Avenue Projects
Construction Update | May 12, 2020
A number of public improvement projects will be taking place on downtown 1st Avenue this construction season. Below is a summary of what you can anticipate.
1st Avenue between 2nd Street - 5th Street

Starting Thursday, May 14, work begins on pedestrian and streetscaping improvements on 1st Avenue, between 2nd Street and 5th Street downtown.

Lane reductions will be in effect for traffic traveling westbound on 1st Avenue; 4th Street NE will also be closed between A Avenue and 1st Avenue.

About the Project
The project includes installation of raised pedestrian medians and flashing pedestrian signals in front of the U.S. Cellular Center, decorative fencing and landscaping, and shifting the trail and crosswalk on 1st Avenue from the west side of the railroad tracks to the east side. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 2020.

1st Avenue will remain open, lane reductions will be in effect throughout the project.
1st Avenue between 6th Street - 10th Street

Also starting this year, road and streetscape improvements are planned on 1st Avenue, between 6th Street and 10th Street, in partnership with the MedQuarter. This project is anticipated to begin early June.

The project will feature decorative brick & concrete parkway pavers, tree planting beds with limestone, decorative parking lot screening, street light upgrading,
landscaping (shrubs, perennials) and benches, as well as infrastructure improvements such as asphalt, curb, and gutter repairs, sidewalk and ADA improvements.

The project also includes new or modified traffic signals at 7th St, 8th St, and 10th St, and will establish two northbound lanes on 8th Street for easier I-380 access. Lane reductions will be in effect throughout the project.
We appreciate your patience!

Please reach out to us if we can help answer any questions.
CITY CONSTRUCTION
MANAGER
Taylor Burgin
319-286-5524
CITY PROJECT MANAGER
Gary Petersen
1st Avenue
2nd Street - 5th Street

  • Raised medians
  • Flashing pedestrian signals
  • ADA audible message, locator tones
  • Decorative fencing, landscaping and parking restrictions to reduce unsafe mid-block pedestrian crossings
  • Trail and crosswalk move from the west side of the railroad tracks to the east side
  • Removal of in-road warning lights
1st Avenue
6th Street - 10th Street

  • Partnership with MedQuarter
  • Decorative parkway pavers
  • Tree planting 
  • Decorative parking lot screening
  • Street light upgrading
  • Landscaping and benches
  • Asphalt, curb, and gutter repairs
  • sidewalk and ADA improvements
  • New or modified traffic signals
  • New northbound lanes on 8th Street for easier I-380 access
City of Cedar Rapids Public Works Department 500 15th Avenue SW | 319.286.5802