The City's plan is to complete the system as quickly as possible in order to keep inflation costs as minimal as possible. The Iowa Flood Mitigation Board Award presumes the system will be completed in 20 years – 2034. The system could be completed in 13 years – 2030, based upon the time needed for design, property acquisition, coordination with other entities (railroad), and construction.
Considerations when developing the timeline:
- Hydraulic impacts on other areas
- Enhanced interim protection ability
- Protection of critical infrastructure
- Property currently owned by City
- Encourages complementary development
- Emergency access
| Sequence Area | Anticipated Timeline (approximate) |
| NewBo / Sinclair | Through 2023 |
| Czech Village | Through 2025 |
| 8th Ave Bridge Replacement/Elevation | Through 2027 |
| Downtown | Through 2027 |
| North Industrial (east side of river, north of Quaker Oats to I-380) |
Through 2026 |
| Cargill south | Through 2026 |
| Kingston Village | 2025 - 2030 |
| Time Check | 2030 - 2035 |
| Ingredion (8th Ave Bridge to 12th Avenue Bridge) |
2030 - 2035 |
