Last Updated: May 13, 2008
2007/08 Water System Improvements (Water Service Transfers)
The City of Ames has contracted for water service transfer work on Woodland, Forest Glen, and Hillcrest Avenue. The work on Woodland has been completed and work on Forest Glen and Hillcrest Continues. Neighborhood water needs are now served by two water mains, a 4” diameter old main and a more recently installed larger water main. The older main is scheduled for abandonment, but before that work can take place, all residential water services tapped to the older main must be transferred to the newer one. This is work that will be done at City of Ames’ expense. Work began March 5, 2008 and is expected to take several weeks to complete.
The transfer work will be done by Ames Trenching and a licensed plumber working for them. Ames Trenching will be contacting residents to schedule an inspection of the water pipe at the entry point into the house, normally in the basement by the City water meter. Please have access to this area available. By assessing the pipe material and location of entry, the plumber will determine if new piping is needed all the way to the meter or just to the edge of the yard. Should new pipe be needed all the way to the house, the plumbers will schedule the interior work with the resident. A boring machine will be used as much as possible during the pipe installation to minimize excavation in the yard; however, be aware that it is necessary to dig a hole on the house side of the sidewalk at every residence for installation of a new service curb stop.
The plumbing crew is responsible for coordinating and scheduling the transfers. They will be contacting affected residents either in person, by phone, or with a note at the front door a day or two before the service is scheduled for transfer to inform residents of approximately when and how long their water will be shut off. A typical transfer usually takes about three hours. After the work is completed residents may have some rusty water and/or a rush of air when the tap is first turned on. If this is the case, allow the cold tap to run for several minutes until the problem clears itself up. The City of Ames Water Meter Division will also need basement access to inspect the meter and flush the line once the plumber’s service work is completed.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. The contacts for this project are as follows: Ames Trenching, Contractor, 232-6837; City Water Meter Shop 239-5250; Scott Shepherd, Public Works Inspector, 203-0799.
Grand Avenue Extension
Update: Construction of the Grand Avenue Extension continues. There will be a new entrance to the Lincoln Center and the Iowa DOT constructed about 250 feet south of the existing Lincoln Center entrance on Grand Avenue. Paving is expected to begin on Grand Avenue the week of May 12. Construction of the retaining wall at the DOT parking lot on the west side of Grand Avenue also continues. This phase of work is anticipated to take 1-2 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Originally, during the week of May 12, 2008 South 4th Street was scheduled to be closed for the extension of Grand Avenue and the widening of South 4th Street. Due to construction staging requirements, this phase of the project can not begin until the new DOT and Lincoln Center entrances are open to traffic. The weather has not cooperated with this phase of the project and as a result the construction schedule has been delayed. It is anticipated that closure of South 4th will begin the week of May 26. The construction of South 4th is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2008.
Alliant Energy will be replacing 4” steel gas main, 4” pl gas main and associated services along South 3rd St/South 4th Street from South Walnut Ave going west to approximately 100’ east of South Oak Ave. The work will be performed within the public right of way by Intercon Construction beginning the week of 5/12 and lasting approximately 3 weeks. The work will require temporary, intermittent closure of the right hand turn lane from south bound South Walnut Ave onto South 3rd Street. They plan to open the turn lane to traffic by using a steel plate to cover the excavation when lane closure is not required (until the work is complete and the surface restored).
If you have questions or concerns about this project, please contact our contractor, Rob Larson of Con-Struct, Inc., at 515-203-0712. You may also contact our City Representative, Jim Gammon, at 515-203-0795; or Construction Supervisor, Eric Cowles, at 515-203-0791.
Background: Grand Avenue will be extended to Squaw Creek Drive south of South 4th Street with a new intersection and signals at South 4th Street. The project is scheduled for completion during fall 2008.
Southeast 16th Street Paving and
Bridge
Update:
Southeast 16th Street is now open to traffic!
There are some small remaining items yet to complete, but they will be completed under traffic.
Background: This project is for constructing a new Southeast 16th Street Bridge over the Skunk River and paving the one mile of gravel on Southeast 16th Street between South Duff and Dayton Road.06/07 & 07/08 Asphalt Resurfacing Program and 06/07 & 07/08 Seal Coat Reconstruction Program
Update: Work for the 2008 construction season has resumed. The Contractor is working on replacing curb and gutter on Bel Air, Coolidge, Arthur Drive and Arthur Circle. Asphalt replacement is anticipated to begin within the next couple of weeks.
Construction on the following streets will not begin until after Iowa State University’s spring semester is complete: Hayward Avenue (Storm Street to Knapp Street), Chamberlain Street (Hayward Avenue to Welch Avenue), Knapp Street (Welch Avenue to Hayward Avenue), and Hunt Street (Welch Avenue to Hayward Avenue), Stanton Avenue (Chamberlain Street to Knapp Street),
Background:
The streets selected for asphalt resurfacing include Arthur
Drive, Arthur Circle, Hayward Avenue (Storm Street to Knapp
Street), Chamberlain Street (Hayward Avenue to Welch Avenue),
Knapp Street (Welch Avenue to Hayward Avenue), and Hunt Street
(Welch Avenue to Hayward Avenue), Kellogg Avenue (24th Street to
28th Street), Taft Avenue, Taft Court, Madison Court, and
Stanton Avenue (Chamberlain Street to Knapp Street).
The streets selected for seal coat reconstruction include Bel
Air Drive (16th Street to 20th Street) and Coolidge Drive (16th
Street to the south connection with Bel Air Drive). Later in the
year, a second contract will be developed for the 07/08
Seal-coat Reconstruction Program. Streets under consideration
for the second program are Narland Drive (Ferndale Avenue to
Roosevelt Avenue), Ferndale Avenue (20th Street to Roosevelt
Avenue), Melrose Avenue (20th Street to Hunziker Drive), Arbor
Street, and Hunt Street (Sheldon Avenue to Hayward Avenue).
Our engineering observer and contact for this project is Ed Kray, 515-203-0797, or you can contact Eric Cowles, Construction Supervisor, at 515-203-0791 with any questions.
Estates of Nature’s
Crossing Subdivision
Curb has been completed. Asphalt base paving is complete.
Ringgenberg Park
Subdivision, 1st Addition
Punch-list items have been sent to the Contractor and Designer,
awaiting completion.
Northridge Heights
Subdivision, 11th Addition
Utility
installations, Curb and
gutter and Asphalt base are complete.
Sunset Ridge Subdivision,
3rd Addition
Utility installations
and curb and asphalt base is complete
Estates West Subdivision
Clearing and Grubbing
utility installations are complete.
Dayton Park, 5th Addition
Water main, curb and gutter and asphalt base have been completed.