IA 44 Improvement Project – Notes from the Engineer

During the week of May 31, 2010 to June 4, 2010, the contractor concentrated on preparing the area between SW Maplewood Drive and SW Brookside Drive for extending the box culvert on the south side of IA 44.  Reilly also worked on preparing the area west of Brookside Drive for placement of fill for the relocated paving.  Rain on Wednesday and early Friday has hampered grading operations.

On Tuesday June 1, 2010, Concrete Technologies was scheduled to pave the north shoulder 11’ wide between NW Maplewood Drive and the Methodist Church Driveway. When the contractor started the work there were equipment problems which caused the contractor to have to set forms and pave the widening using hand methods.  This work was completed on Thursday June 3, 2010. 

On Monday June 7, 2010, the paving between NW Maplewood Drive and the Methodist Church will be repainted to shift the traffic lanes 11’ north.  After the traffic lanes are shifted, paving removals and grading will begin between SW Brookside Drive and S James Street.    Paving removals between S James Street and will be done under traffic with flagging.  Traffic through the construction area will be one lane with flaggers.   Access to properties between S James Street and SW Maplewood Dr will be maintained.

Halbrook Excavating is expected to mobilize to the site during the week of June 7, 2010 to start installation of storm sewers in the area from the box culvert west to the west end of the project.

The Underground Company has mobilized to the site to work on extending the box culvert.  This work is expected to be completed by June 21, 2010.

Electric conduit installation between SE Main Street and SE Little Beaver Drive is proceeding and will continue for most of the month of June.

Gas main construction activities along the corridor have resumed.

The S James Street closure from IA 44 to just south of the Fire Station driveway is scheduled to begin on Monday June 14, 2010.  Traffic on James Street to and from west IA 44 will be detoured through Kenny Brooke Subdivision and traffic on James Street to and from east IA 44 will be detoured on S Third Street and on S Ewing Street. Advance warning of this traffic change will be in place near the end of the week ending June 11, 2010.

Should you have any questions or concerns about this project, please HWY 44 Project Engineer, Jerry Byg at 515-291-2241.  Note that Mr. Byg will be onsite for the duration of the project.  There will be a project trailer located at Grimes City Hall.