Ribbon-cuttings this week on two big viaduct projects on Edgewood Road SW and 33rd Avenue SW

City Hall has the scissors and red ribbon out this week to celebrate the opening of two giant road projects, both of which feature two viaducts over rail tracks.

On Wednesday at 4 p.m., city officials and the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will be on the new viaducts at Edgewood Road SW south of Highway 30 for a ribbon cutting that will open the road to traffic.

Construction on the $21-million project began in 2005, and it also includes improvements on Edgewood Road and 60

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Avenue SW. Most of the project funding is from the federal government.

The viaducts are intended to improve access for existing industries and to open up the area south of Highway 30 to additional industrial and commercial development. The viaducts also will provide a new, easy access to the Eastern Iowa Airport.

On Thursday at 4 p.m., the ribbon-cutting festivities will move to 33

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Avenue SW where new viaducts will provide a new access from Interstate 380 to the Westdale Mall area and will take some traffic off Wilson Avenue SW, where train movements routinely delay traffic.

The 33

Construction on 33

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Avenue SW project is a $13 million one, half of the cost of which is paid by federal funds, half by local money.

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Avenue SW will continue west of the viaducts after the viaducts open on Thursday.