05/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/07/2024 14:33
Beginning Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, the roundabout at Middle Road and Competition Drive will be closed to all traffic as crews complete streetscaping, landscaping, and permanent pavement markings that can't be done under live traffic.
To ensure the safety of the traveling public and the construction workers onsite, the following traffic changes are taking place:
A detour will be in place (redand blueon the map below). Middle Road and Competition Drive are both expected to reopen by the end of the day Friday, May 10th - weather permitting.
Beginning Monday, April 15, 2024, work begins at the Middle Road and Competition Drive Roundabout as crews complete streetscaping, landscaping, and paint permanent pavement markings to help drivers see better in the dark and during inclement weather.
To ensure the safety of the traveling public and the construction workers onsite, the following traffic changes are taking place:
A detour will be in place using Forest Grove Drive (blue on the map below). These traffic changes will last for the duration of the project, which is expected to take approximately four weeks, weather permitting.
The biggest Public Works project in the City of Bettendorf's history is nearly complete. The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project began in July 2022 and is now entering its final days:
Friday, December 22nd
On Friday, December 22nd, Middle Road is expected to fully open north of Forest Grove Drive (redlines on map below) along with Competition Drive located on either side of Middle Road (bluelines on map below). Competition Drive west of Middle Road includes access to Kwik Star, the TBK Bank Sports Complex, and commercial developments in The Plex. Competition Drive east of Middle Road includes access to more future commercial developments and Iron Tee - a climate-controlled interactive golf and entertainment complex on track to open in late Spring 2024.
Finishing Touches
Starting in Spring 2024, crews will complete some additional work that will have minimal impacts on traffic, which includes placing pavers in the islands of the roundabout at Middle Road and Competition Drive as well as a few sections of the recreational trail.
What Else to Expect in 2024
For those details, see the update on December 14, 2023 below!
The biggest Public Works project in the City of Bettendorf's history is nearly complete. The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project began in July 2022 and is now entering its final days with some major milestones:
Friday December 15th
On Friday, December 15th, Forest Grove Drive is expected to open east of the roundabout located at Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road (greenline on map below), opening Forest Grove Drive in its entirety from Criswell Street to Utica Ridge Road.
Friday, December 22nd
On Friday, December 22nd, Middle Road is expected to open north of Forest Grove Drive along with Competition Drive located on either side of Middle Road (yellowarea on map below). Competition Drive west of Middle Road includes access to Kwik Star, the TBK Bank Sports Complex and commercial developments in The Plex. Competition Drive east of Middle Road includes access to more future commercial developments and Iron Tee - a climate-controlled interactive golf and entertainment complex on track to open in late Spring 2024.
What Else to Expect in 2024
There are two main "entrances" into the City of Bettendorf - Interstate 74 and Interstate 80. In December 2021, our community celebrated the opening of the new I-74 Bridge. Now, two years later, the City is honoring that iconic arch by announcing the timeline of another arch at I-80 and Middle Road. This "Gateway Bridge" is not for motorists, however. Instead, it will allow people to safely walk, run, or bike over Middle Road.
"This connects the TBK Bank Sports Complex Corner with the Iron Tee Corner of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road," said Jeff Reiter, Assistant City Administrator and Economic Development Director. "As an added bonus, it serves as a connector in our regional trail system between Davenport and LeClaire and allows walkers, runners, and cyclists a spot to stop in this awesome tourism destination and take a well-deserved break in one of the many amenities offered in this growing area of our community."
The "Gateway Bridge" was revealed in February 2022 as part of an announcement for the expansion of The Plex Corridor (To learn more, click here), which included the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project. This was the next exciting step years in the making stemming from a goal of the Bettendorf City Council - to have a regional youth sports complex that was privately-owned.
"Since opening in 2018, the TBK Bank Sports Complex has become a national footprint for youth sporting events," said Decker Ploehn, City Administrator. "Not only that, it's an economic catalyst. What's been created in this area has far exceeded our expectations and we cannot be more excited for continued growth - including seeing the 'Gateway Bridge" come to fruition."
The "Gateway Bridge" is currently in the design phase, which is about 40% complete and expected to be finished in Summer 2024. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2024. As the design phase progresses, the funding mechanism for this project is also taking shape. On December 5th, the Bettendorf City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the I-80 Urban Renewal Plan, which allows the City to increase its capacity to bond up to $11 million. To pay for the bonds, the City will use tax revenue created from the area where the "Gateway Bridge" will stand and support the I-80 and Middle Road Corridor.
"The City does not intend to raise taxes to pay for these bonds and we will continue to submit grants to pay for other parts of the project," said Ploehn.
The "Gateway Bridge" also coincides with a major state project. The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to reconfigure the I-80 and Middle Road Interchange beginning in 2025 - an estimated $58 million investment.
"This investment is yet another example of the success we're seeing in this area and the reason why we need to provide a grand entrance for visitors and residents to see how special Bettendorf and the Quad Cities are. We are excited to move forward," said Reiter.
The intersection of Middle Road and Forest Grove Drive is closing for four hours between 9am and 1pm on Wednesday, November 29th for construction. Northbound traffic on Middle Road will be detoured at Hopewell Avenue to Devils Glen Road and Forest Grove Drive. Southbound traffic will be detoured at Championship Drive and Forest Grove Drive.
These areas will be used as the detour route (blue lineand red lineon map below) for Middle Road traffic as the construction zone (yellow lineon map below) centralizes on Middle Road north of Forest Grove Drive, as well as the Competition Drive and Forest Grove Drive intersection east of Middle Road, which will be closed.
On Wednesday, October 18th at 4:30pm, the City of Bettendorf is holding a unique "ribbon" cutting as a Valley Construction Front Loader drives through a road-wide banner to celebrate a major milestone in the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project - the partial reopening of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road.
Following Mayor Bob Gallagher's remarks and the celebratory drive-thru, the City and Valley Construction are encouraging the community to participate in an Open Road Open House of The Plex, which consists of more than 30 stores, restaurants, bars, and the TBK Bank Sports Complex. This is an opportunity to reintroduce people to this vibrant area and support the businesses that have endured construction for months.
This next step in the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project includes the opening of the following areas -
The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project is getting closer and closer to the finish line as contractors diligently work despite a couple of hurdles - an abundance of rain in recent weeks and the delivery of materials being delayed.
At this time, these three areas are expected to open on Wednesday, October 18th -
The biggest Public Works project ever in the City of Bettendorf is now 80% complete. The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project began in July 2022 and is now entering its final months. With that, comes some temporary traffic changes in September:
Tuesday, September 5th
Starting Tuesday, September 5th, these three areas are closing -
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: If you are coming from the north on Middle Road, there will be a temporary road built north of Kwik Star to detour traffic south to Competition Court and Competition Drive. From there, drivers will be back on the current detour along Competition Drive west to Forest Grove Drive (blue lineon map below). If you are trying to get to Forest Grove Drive east of Middle Road, take Indiana Avenue north of Interstate 80 to Wells Ferry Road (red lineon map below).
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: If you are coming from the south on Middle Road, you will need to take 53rd Avenue west to Devils Glen Road (red lineon map below) or Hopewell Avenue east to Criswell Street and Wells Ferry Road to Indiana Avenue (red lineon map below).
Access to Interstate 80 will be available from both the north and south with all ramps open. Access to the TBK Bank Sports Complex and nearby businesses will be from Forest Grove Drive and Competition Drive west of Middle Road only.
This closure is expected to last three weeks.
August 20, 2023 - Roadway Taking Shape
There is a lot of progress to show as crews work through these hot summer days to keep this project moving and grooving. As you can see in the video below, roads are being poured and pavers are being set:
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