Some drivers caught off guard by First Avenue closure in Cedar Rapids

An estimated 60,000 to 80,000 cars a day will have to find a new route through downtown Cedar Rapids -- at least for the rest of the week.

Cedar Rapids public workers managers say that's the estimated daily traffic count on First Avenue SE between Fifth and Third streets. And that's the section that closed at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. The closure is expected to last five days.

The closure and detours are allowing crews to safely install a new skywalk that will connect the refurbished U.S. Cellular Center, exhibition hall and hotel with a parkade now under construction across First Avenue.

Craig Hanson, Cedar Rapids Public Works maintenance manager, said the first day problems caused by the detour were minimal. However, Hanson admitted the city didn't close that busy route through downtown without some second thoughts.

Hanson said the only other time First Avenue through the downtown was completely closed was a few years ago to remove an unneeded skywalk. That closure happened on a Saturday and lasted just one day.

Hanson said the only problem he discovered so far is the city didn't notify the public the street closure was taking place until late Tuesday afternoon.

One business manager said he didn't discover the busy street had a detour until he came to work Wednesday morning. He wasn't happy about the closure, but recognized the work is necessary to get the massive exhibition hall, arena and hotel project open in just a few weeks. He said that opening should boost his business by 25 to 30 percent, and he was willing to put up with a little pain for that payoff.