Des Moines Upgrading Infrastructure Along McKinley Avenue

(Des Moines, IA) -- An infrastructure upgrade is coming to McKinley Avenue in Des Moines.

Steve Naber is the City Engineer.

"This project includes full reconstruction of McKinley Avenue from SW 9th St. to S. Union St. as kind of this current phase," Naber says. "And actually there will be another phase that will start this year from SW 9th to SW 14th St."

He tells WHO Radio News that the project includes a 75 year-old water main, as well as creating a pathway.

"A lot of this area was missing sidewalks," Naber says. "So, we're making sure there's sidewalks on both sides. And actually on the north side we're installing a 10-foot wide shared use path that can be used not only by pedestrians but also by bicyclists as well."

The project may close the street for extended periods of time, according to Naber.

"When there are sections that are completely under reconstruction, they're closed," Naber says. "What we actually do is we construct the project in phases to try to maximize the time people can access the driveways. And then we build temporary access roads so people can access their driveways during construction."

Phase two is expected to start later in 2025.