Cedar Rapids closing First Avenue downtown to install floodgate Monday

Closure starts in morning and lasts through afternoon

Dec. 2, 2022 2:16 pm, Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 7:44 pm

The First Avenue Bridge is shown in April 2016 in downtown Cedar Rapids. The bridge will close Monday for installation of a floodgate. (The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — First Avenue will close between Third Street West and First Street East from 8:30 a.m. Monday through the afternoon for installation of a floodgate, part of the city’s $750 million permanent flood control system.

Signed detours will be in place while the street is closed, the city said in a news release.

The closure is needed as a crane places the floodgate on the north side of First Avenue.

The $1 million floodgate is more than 11 feet tall, weighs over 80,000 pounds and requires a 350-ton crane for installation.

When installed, it will be able to roll across First Avenue, lock in place and keep floodwater out of the downtown. A similar gate is planned for the west side of the bridge.

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