1st Avenue Floodgate Construction Begins

Construction on the 1st Avenue East floodgate is anticipated to begin on Monday, July 19, 2021. Designed to protect to the 2008 flood volume, the gate will be a roller gate similar to the one already completed on 16th Avenue SE in NewBo. The 1st Avenue floodgate is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

Work will begin north of 1st Avenue, where crews will excavate and pour a floodwall foundation where the gate will be installed. During this time, travel lanes on 1st Avenue near 1st Street will be restricted to one lane each direction. Temporary parking restrictions will also be in effect on the 1st Avenue bridge, near the 1st Street intersection. On-street parking will still be available throughout other areas of the 1st Avenue bridge. Parking in front of City Hall will remain available, with pedestrian access maintained.

View a map of current parking impacts. 

Updates on other flood control projects in this area include:

1st Street NE
The storm sewer work on 1st Street NE (between A Avenue NE – 1st Avenue East) has recently been completed. These improvements will help consolidate drainage outfalls to the Cedar River, will direct downtown storm water to a future pump station, and will help facilitate the construction of the floodgate across 1st Avenue.

Intersection of 1st Street and 1st Avenue
Also recently completed is the installation of temporary traffic signals at 1st Avenue and 1st Street East; crews continue with sidewalk ADA improvements. The temporary signals will help ensure additional curb, ADA, and future trail work can be completed. The signals will also allow for changing traffic patterns during construction of the 1st Avenue floodgate. Permanent signals will be installed once work on the 1st Avenue floodgate is completed.

To see more flood control projects currently underway, please visit www.cityofcr.com/floodcontrol.