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Iowa City details North Dodge Street and ACT Circle intersection improvements
Summary
City officials described plans to install a new signal, reconfigure turn lanes, relocate utilities and build an ACT Drive connection at the North Dodge/ACT Circle intersection; the city is targeting July for bid documents and a fall start to construction, staff said.
City of Iowa City staff outlined plans and a staged schedule for improvements at the North Dodge Street and ACT Circle intersection at a public information meeting.
Tim Schmmedi, a civil engineer with the city, opened the meeting and said he will oversee construction and serve as the main point of contact. He introduced design staff from Footh, including Michael Farre, who said the project runs from Scott Boulevard east nearly to the I‑80 ramps and will include utility relocations, turn‑lane work and a new traffic signal at the North Dodge/ACT intersection. “There will be a signal that we’re installing,” Farre said, citing sight‑distance concerns and the planned new connection to ACT Drive.
Farre described key elements of the plan: two travel lanes in each direction will remain, with 11‑foot travel lanes and curb‑and‑gutter sections; dedicated left‑turn lanes in each direction; and a dedicated right‑turn lane onto the new ACT Drive connection. Utility work will include new storm sewer, limited sanitary improvements and a new water main extending to ACT Drive. He noted that the north‑side trail will be preserved and a future south‑side sidewalk is shown on the plan as a developer installation.
The project team has completed preliminary design and will submit final plans to the city and the state DOT for review. They are targeting advertisement of bidding documents in July and, if the schedule holds, starting construction in the fall, with major paving expected before winter and final site restoration the following spring.
Farre outlined a three‑stage construction sequence. Stage 1 will rebuild the eastbound (south side) lanes and accommodate the majority of utility work; stage 2 will adjust medians and turn lanes to prepare for the signal; stage 3 will complete the north‑side curb and minor trail work near ACT Circle. He said stage 1 is expected to be the longest because of the utility trunk lines in that area.
During a question‑and‑answer period, a resident asked whether the roadway would be reduced to one lane in each direction while the eastbound side is reconstructed. Project staff replied that access will be maintained, there will be lane shifts, and “one lane in each direction is probably how…things will look for the duration of construction.”
Attendees raised concerns about congestion at nearby intersections, including the Dantes Scott signal, and asked whether the project or the nearby site development would affect backups. City staff said the new configuration is intended to improve movements at the intersection but that they did not have a developer timetable; they offered to follow up if the developer provides information. Staff also said they were not aware of any official, public commitments from specific businesses to develop the adjacent site.
Farre and Schmmedi directed the public to the city project website (a QR code and mailed notice were provided) for plans, construction coordination and project updates, and they encouraged residents to contact city staff with follow‑up questions. The meeting concluded after staff offered printed exhibits and maps for attendees to review.
Next steps: the team will submit final plans for DOT and city review, aim to advertise bids in July and start construction in the fall if reviews and procurement proceed on schedule, city officials said.
