Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project

Detours in Effect

Improving Our Community

The City of Bettendorf is planning improvements along the Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road corridors, which will establish a new gateway to the City from the north. This project will continue improvements to Forest Grove Drive, which began in 2015, in collaboration with the City of Davenport and their improvements to Veteran’s Memorial Parkway.

Significant development, both commercial and residential, along this corridor over the past several years has driven the need to provide an upgraded roadway system. With traffic projected to grow substantially over the next 20 years, this project is needed to provide safe, multimodal connectivity between communities and local destinations.

The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project is reconstructing and widening Forest Grove Drive, starting just east of International Drive and extending east through Middle Road. Improvements to Middle Road starting just south of Forest Grove Drive and extending north to just south of the I-80 interchange is also included in the project.

Forest Grove & Middle Road Corridor

Take a quick peek at what we've been up to on the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project

 
Project map click on image to enlarge

Project Renderings

Rendering: bridge
Rendering: walking path
Rendering: walking path
Rendering: roundabout
Rendering: Midblock Section
Rendering: Site Features
Rendering: Monument Sign
click on images to enlarge

Future Gateway Improvements

The City is working to secure funding for the Bettendorf Gateway Pedestrian Bridge and Trails Project that will create new mixed-use trails, streetscape improvements and a pedestrian bridge that will serve as a gateway to the area. The trail network will connect to the existing TBK Bank Sports Complex and adjacent development. Renderings of the pedestrian bridge are displayed above.

Project Vision

 

Stay Informed During Construction

The City and contractor are working hard to make the vision of Forest Grove Drive a reality. Please keep in mind that weather and other factors may impact the construction schedule. Stay up-to-date on the latest construction information by checking out the construction phasing information below.

The first phase of construction started just east of International Drive to just west of Championship Drive. This phase included new sanitary and storm sewers, reconstruction of the Forest Grove Drive and Friendship Path intersection to re-establish access to TBK from the west and additional mainline paving of Forest Grove Drive heading east.

Eastbound lane closure between Friendship Path and Middle Road

Click on the image to enlarge

The second phase of construction is on Forest Grove Drive from Championship Drive to just east of the Middle Road intersection. Construction will also occur on Middle Road, just south of Forest Grove Drive to just south of the Competition Drive intersection. This phase will include reconstruction of both roadways, recreational trail construction and additional sanitary sewer and storm sewer installation.

Starting Tuesday, February 21, the Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road intersection will be closed for construction. Thru traffic along Forest Grove Drive will be detoured using the recently completed extension of Competition Drive and Friendship Path.

The Competition Drive intersection at Middle Road will remain open. Access to the TBK Bank Sports Complex and adjacent businesses will be via Friendship Path to the west and Competition Drive to the east.

Thru traffic of Middle Road will be detoured at Hopewell Avenue and 53rd Avenue.

Phase 1 Construction Map

Click on the image to enlarge

Construction zone along Forest Grove Drive, south of the Sports Complex and at the intersection of Middle Rd. Detour is Middle Rd. north of I-80, Indiana Ave, and Wells Ferry Rd. Click to enlarge

The third and final phase of construction will occur on Middle Road from the Competition Drive intersection to just south of I-80 and the closure of Forest Grove Drive will be extended to allow for further reconstruction. The reconstruction project is getting closer and closer to the finish line as contractors diligently work despite a couple of hurdles - an abundance of rain and the delivery of materials being delayed.

As of Mid-October the following areas are NOW OPEN:

  • Middle Road South of Forest Grove Drive
  • Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road
  • Forest Grove Drive and Championship Drive (West of Middle Road)

The lines in blue on the map below will be used as the detour route for Middle Road traffic as the construction zone (yellow line on map below) centralizes on Middle Road north of Forest Grove Drive, as well as the Competition Drive and Forest Grove Drive intersection east of Middle Road, which is closed.

Portions of forest grove drive, middle road, and competition drive remain closed. forest grove drive east of middle road, middle road south of forest grove drive, and championship drive now open. Click to enlarge

All construction is anticipated to be completed before the end of the year. Final landscaping activities may occur after November 2023; however, impacts to traffic are not anticipated.

Submit a Comment

Do you have a question or comment about the project? Fill out this comment form and a project team member will follow up with you.

Project Activities

Forest Grove Drive will be widened to include one lane in each direction with a center turn lane. The new paving will be wide enough, however, to allow for a four-lane roadway in the future if traffic volumes warrant it. In addition to widening Forest Grove Drive, the City is also constructing roundabouts for traffic control at intersections. On-road bike lanes and a ten foot recreational trail are being added for pedestrians and bicyclists. This project benefits the community in a variety of ways:

Provide increased traffic capacity through widening the roadway

Improve the flow of traffic through this area by the use of roundabouts

Include multi-modal amenities

Incorporate landscaping and lighting improvements

Plan utility improvements for future growth

FAQs

  • Roadway widening to increase capacity
  • Roundabouts to improve traffic efficiency
  • Expanded detention basin to capture stormwater
  • Bicycle and pedestrian trail
  • Aesthetic improvements

This project continues the City’s efforts to reconstruct and widen Forest Grove Drive due to significant development, both commercial and residential, over the past several years. Additionally, current road conditions on Forest Grove Drive are deteriorating and improving roadway conditions will provide a safer corridor with better connectivity for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists in the area. The City envisions the intersection at Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road as a gateway to Bettendorf so this project will include a detailed streetscape comprised of trees, specialty paving, ornamental light poles, decorative signage and wayfinding elements, and robust native landscaping.

A roundabout is a safe, efficient and cost-effective traffic control measure. Learn more about the benefits of roundabouts.

Design, engineering and construction activities are funded by a $5.96 million federal aid award, with the remaining $5.5 million project cost being funded by the City.

The City also was recently awarded an additional $0.5 million in Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP) that will support the project construction.

The City will work to minimize impacts to adjacent properties to the greatest extent possible. All properties impacted by the project have been coordinated with their respective owners. The City will work to inform all interested and affected parties of the projected construction schedule and traffic detours.

The Project is scheduled for letting by Iowa DOT in April 2022, with construction to begin July 2022. The City anticipates that primary roadway and trail reconstruction and paving will be completed in 2022 and 2023, with remaining landscaping and restoration to be completed late 2023 or early 2024. Additional construction within this area to support ongoing development is anticipated throughout 2023.

Process and Timing

The City has completed field studies and an environmental review of the area. A traffic analysis was conducted and considered crash history data as well as existing and projected traffic volume data to help the City move forward with preliminary and final designs.

A timeline with events listed as follows: Data Collection happens early 2021. Traffic Analysis happens early to mid 2021. Preliminary design happens early to mid 2021. Final Design happens mid 2021 to late 2021. Construction begins in July 2022 to November 2023.