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Iowa City approves easements for Taft Avenue reconstruction, schedules 2027–28 construction stages
Summary
Council authorized acquisition of permanent and temporary easements for the Taft Avenue grade‑and‑replace project, which will add curb, storm sewer, on‑street bike lanes, water main and fiber. Utility relocations are expected in 2026; construction will be staged starting in 2027 with completion projected in 2028.
The City of Iowa City on Dec. 9 authorized staff to acquire property interests necessary for reconstructing Taft Avenue on the city—s east side.
John Ressler of the engineering division told council the grade‑and‑replace project covers about 1.3 miles between American Legion Road and Lower West Branch Road and converts a rural, chip‑sealed section into an urban profile with curb and gutter, storm sewer intakes, on‑street bike lanes and a wide sidewalk on the west side. The project will include sanitary sewer extensions and a new water main to facilitate future development and expand the city—s fiber optic network along the corridor.
Ressler said the work will require both permanent and temporary agricultural easements so contractors can grade slopes and install infrastructure; temporary easements are expected to be returned to property owners after construction. Staff presented a schedule that anticipates utility relocations in 2026, a staged two‑year construction sequence beginning in 2027 (stage 1 from American Legion Road to just south of Court Street), and stage 2 in 2028 continuing to Lower West Branch Road. The council voted in favor of the acquisition authorization by unanimous roll call.
No members of the public addressed the item during the hearing. Staff said two public information meetings have been held and additional outreach is planned during the design phase.
