Iowa City Gateway Project moving closer to construction

IOWA CITY - It may have taken years - about two more than intended - to design and debate the Iowa City Gateway Project, but the massive flood mitigation effort is moving forward.

On Tuesday, the Iowa City Council approved the plans, form of contract and cost estimate for the Gateway Project, which aims to elevate Dubuque Street and reconstruct Park Road Bridge over the Iowa River.

If finished by the projected completion date, the Gateway Project will be done 10 years after the 2008 flood that prompted it.

'I remember when we first started talking about this and here we are. This is arguably the signature entryway into the community,” Mayor Matt Hayek said. 'Once we get through the mess of construction, and it will be that, it will be just stunning.”

The project is intended to eliminate the need to close the north end of Dubuque Street when significant flooding occurs - an event that has become increasingly common. The section of Dubuque Street near the University of Iowa's Mayflower Hall has closed for a length of time in 2008, 2013 and 2014 due to flooding.

Project delays, much of which stemmed from considerable public comment and redesign requests, pushed the effort back.

'We spent a lot of time at the council level, probably more detail than we get into with projects in terms of design,” council member Susan Mims said. 'I'm really looking forward to this moving forward.”

Those delays also pushed up the price tag.

City staff earlier this year estimated the project to cost about $50 million. Documents now indicate it is expected to cost $52 million.

Plans remain on track to begin construction in 2016, with work expected to take place through 2018.

Early design plans for the Gateway Project were met with opposition from residents who live near the site over its size and the possible harm to trees and a bluff.

Following several public meetings and forums, the council approved a scaled-down project that would elevate the stretch of Dubuque Street near City Park to 1 foot above the 100-year flood level while reconstructing a through-arch style Park Road Bridge at the 200-year level.

The council's decision was lower than city staff's recommendation to reconstruct Dubuque Street between Foster and Kimball roads to 1 foot above the peak floodwater in the historic 2008 flood. At the same time, it was the lowest the city could go to keep federal grant dollars for the project.

The project will be funded with government grants and local sales option sales tax and bond proceeds.