12th Avenue Lane Reconfiguration

In advance of the road closure anticipated with the 16th Avenue SW Floodgate project, 12th Avenue received a new lane configuration on Tuesday, October 5. The new configuration begins at the intersection of 16th Avenue and 1st Street SW, follows 12th Avenue to cross the bridge over the Cedar River, and ends at the intersection of 12th Avenue and 2nd Street SE.

The new configuration accommodates one lane of automobile traffic in each direction and a new permanent bicycle lane in each direction. The changes will facilitate bicycle traffic for the Cedar River Trail detour during the construction of the 16th Avenue SW Floodgate. Additionally, the new configuration will prepare 12th Avenue for a future mini roundabout at the intersection of 12th Avenue and 2nd Street SE, scheduled for construction in 2022.

A traffic study on 12th Avenue showed no negative impacts to traffic throughput following a reduction in automobile lanes on this stretch of roadway. The future roundabout project will improve vehicle sightlines and safety; pedestrian crossing safety; overall efficiency; and reduce idle times for Cedar Rapids Transit routes 7 and 11.