Western Gateway to undergo major changes in downtown Des Moines, including trail, greenspace

Addison Lathers, Des Moines Register
Updated ·3 min read

Construction on the final phase of Des Moines' sewer separation project will bring with it some big changes to downtown's Western Gateway, the city says.

What's happening with Locust Street and Grand Avenue?

Locust Street and Grand Avenue are slated to be permanently converted into two-way streets from 15th Street, bordering the west end of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, to 18th Street. Locust will gain a two-way connection to Fleur Drive, while Fleur Drive's direct connection to Grand will be eliminated.

The intersection of Fleur Drive, Locust Street, Grand Avenue and 18th Street will close starting June 3.
The intersection of Fleur Drive, Locust Street, Grand Avenue and 18th Street will close starting June 3.

Much of the area that's no longer used for traffic will become greenspace, crossed by a multi-use trail connecting Ingersoll Avenue to the Meredith Trail. The new greenspace will adjoin the Dotdash Meredith corporate campus, with its giant garden trowel sculpture by artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.

Why is the work being done now?

The city planned the improvement projects to overlap with the sewer work. Doing the work all at once, it says, will reduce the impact that separate projects and road closures could have on traffic downtown.

Why make big changes to the streets?

The city said the work takes advantage of a reduction in traffic that occurred after major road construction about 20 years ago, rendering the area where Grand, Locust, Fleur and 18th meet an "obscure intersection."

"Before West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway was constructed, the Fleur Drive Bridge was the main way to travel between the airport and downtown," City Engineer Steven Naber said in a news release. "Usage has dropped by over 82%, and with the (Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority) project taking place, now is the time to reconfigure this obscure intersection and look at how we can make safety improvements for all travelers."

When will the work start?

The sewer work already is underway on a recently closed section of 15th Street from Walnut to Locust streets. The work will progress west on Locust toward Fleur Drive and then to Grand Avenue, with the intersection there closing June 3.

In addition to green space, curb extensions and bump-outs will be added throughout the area

"We've got a lot of pedestrians and cyclists around here," Naber said. "These improvements are going to make it much safer for both trail users and motorists."

Des Moines commuters should brace for traffic impacts along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway over the better part of two years as the city works to install a sanitary sewer line.
Des Moines commuters should brace for traffic impacts along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway over the better part of two years as the city works to install a sanitary sewer line.

What's happening with the sewers?

The work is part of a years-long, federally mandated project meant to eliminate the pollution caused when combined sanitary and stormwater sewers overflow during heavy rainstorms and dump untreated sewage into the Des Moines River.

While improvements are happening above ground, the sewage and stormwater streams will be separated, with the sanitary sewer flow rerouted to the Wastewater Reclamation Authority's treatment facility before the water is released into the river.

Work will wrap up on the Locust Street portion by December 2025.

Are other parts of Grand and Locust becoming two-way?

Last year, the city initiated a traffic engineering study to determine the feasibility of turning Grand Avenue and Locust Street from Second Avenue to 15th Street from one-way to two-way.

Proponents of the conversion say that the change would encourage different types of transportation, including buses, bicycles and walking, as well as bring more traffic to downtown's bars and restaurants. Road closures would also be less disruptive, with residents still being able to go both ways on another street.

The study is now complete, and a public meeting is scheduled at the Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Thursdaty to present the city's findings.

How can drivers get around during the construction?

Sewer work on West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway — where phase one of the sewer project took place — wraps up July 1, and the reopened roadway will provide greater access downtown. And drivers will still be able to utilize 15th and 17th streets to move between Grand Avenue and Locust Street.

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 or alathers@registermedia.com, and follow her on X at @addisonlathers.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Downtown Des Moines' Western Gateway to get trail, greenspace