East of Merle Hay Road Improvements

Conceptual Plan

 
Click here (PDF) to read the East of Merle Hay Road conceptual plan. Click here (PDF) to view the map of the project. 

Phase 4-NW 54th Court, NW 60th Street, NW 61st Place



Project Update (as of 8/22/19)
Parents and students utilizing NW 54th Court and NW 60th Avenue to walk to school should use caution as this area is an active construction site. Restricting people from walking through the site is not possible, but it is preferred that no pedestrians are on-site. The contractor is aware of school starting on Friday, August 23 and has been briefed in their safety meetings. Multiple machines are in use simultaneously creating loud conditions and potential blind spots. Safety is the utmost concern for the City, the Contractor, and the Public.

By late fall, the roadway should be open again as this is a short-term inconvenience.

Questions regarding the project can be directed to the City Engineer, Amy Quartell at 515-254-1393. If it is a construction concern, please contact the Inspector in the field, Jordan Provost, 515-707-7791.

Project Information and Communication Items
Click here (PDF) to review the Public Open House presentation presented on February 28, 2019

Engineer: Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC, Amy Quartell

City Staff Contact:
Matt Greiner
Public Works Director
515.278.0822
Matt's Email

The first public information meeting for this project was held on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Johnston City Hall Council Chambers. The intent of this meeting was to start a dialogue with the surrounding property owners on issues from your perspective that may exist in the corridor.  The design team and representatives from the City were to be present to listen and gather your input so that it may be incorporated into the design process. 

Phase 3 - NW 54th Court (from NW 57th Ave to NW 60th Ave)

 

Engineer: Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC, Doug Ernst

City Staff Contact:
Matt Greiner
Public Works Director
515.278.0822
Matt's Email

Project Update (as of 7/15/19)
The seeding and hydro-mulch has been placed. A decision has been made to temporarily not water due to the extreme heat even though no rain is expected. Reasons as to why are included below from correspondence from Pezzetti Erosion Control. Follow-up conversations after the below information included that if weeds establish at a high rate, mowing and/or herbicide will be discussed as an option to treat.

Given the fact that we completed seeding efforts during a marginal growing period it is in the best interest of the final establishment to allow seed to lay dormant for the next month. There are a couple of risks involved with the introduction of irrigation at this time.
  • Weed promotion, turf grasses do not germinate well during the weather conditions we have currently however, weeds do. Simply put, irrigating at this time will promote weed growth as well as promote desired species to grow at an unsatisfactory level. Turf grass germination levels can be reduced in this scenario by as much as 70%.
  • Irrigation in conjunction with a fragile seedling state, high UV index, and 85°+ daytime highs can significantly increase the risk of Pythium creation which is a form of fungus that can spread rapidly throughout the seeded areas and will essentially kill the seedlings.
Project Information and Communication Items 
Click here (PDF) to view the letter sent March 2, 2018, to residents regarding tree removal.
Click here (PDF) to view the meeting presentation from Tuesday, March 22.   
Click here and here (PDF) to view design plans. 
Detailed letter (PDF) regarding this via email and will also receive one via USPS.

Phase 2 - NW 57th Avenue

 
Engineer: Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC, Doug Ernst

City Staff Contact:
Matt Greiner
Public Works Director
515.278.0822
Matt's Email

Project Update (1/14/19)
The contractor is completing punch list to finalize project. 

Project Information and Communication Items 
Click here (PDF) to read the residents letter. 
Click here to see the latest update on the project. The detour map is available to view by clicking here.  NW 57th Avenue will be closed to thru traffic beginning June 19.  The closure is from Merle Hay Road to NW 54th Court.  To view the detour for this closure click here.  


Project Work Already Completed as follows:

 

Project Name: East of Merle Hay Road Sanitary Trunk Sewer Extension – Phase 1A

Project Location Map

Estimated Cost: $780,000
Special Note: The City of Johnston received a Community Development Block Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The grant funds were used to help finance the construction of the municipal storm sewer system to serve this area.

Project Name: NW 60th Avenue Improvements (East of Merle Hay Road Phase 4A)

Estimated Cost: $1.48 million

The City of Johnston received a $15,000 grant in December 2015 to help pay for the trail improvements. Click here to learn more about The Wellmark Foundation grant.

Traffic Studies:

Brite Beginnings Daycare & Kevin's Place Shopping Center Traffic Study - May 2007

Grocery Store Traffic Study - May 2007

NW Beaver Drive Commercial Development Traffic Study - May 2007

Project Name: NW 55th Avenue Improvements - Phase 1B
Estimated Cost: $3.1 Million
Project Description: Reconstruction of NW 55th Avenue from Merle Hay Road to NW Beaver Drive. Project included roadway improvements based on the Public Engagement Process, storm sewer construction, sanitary sewer installation, and water main replacement.

An ordinance establishing the East of Merle Hay Road and South of NW 62nd Avenue sanitary sewer extension connection fee district was established. Click here to read the ordinance.
Exhibits A and B show property numbers and project boundaries.

Project Area


East of Merle Hay Road is the area between Merle Hay Road, Beaver Drive, Johnston Drive and NW 62nd Avenue. Here is a link to the Project Area Map. Neighborhood areas include NW 55th Avenue, NW 57th Avenue, NW 54th Court, NW 60th Avenue, & NW 61st Place. A map is available to identify which sub-group to which a neighborhood belongs.
Below are before and after pictures that have been prepared based on input from residents in the area during the above public workshops.

Visual Preference Survey

The visual preference survey was an exercise where the residents were asked to rate a series of images on a scale of -5 to +5 as to their opinion of how well a particular infrastructure improvement would fit in with their neighborhood. The improvements were grouped by category and the results are presented by neighborhood subarea average and the total neighborhood average. The most positive image in each category is highlighted in yellow, while the most negative image is highlighted in red. This purpose of the exercise was to begin the process of visualizing potential physical neighborhood improvements and to discuss the merit of various improvement alternatives. The results are not intended to be interpreted as definitive chosen alternatives.

Input and Contact Information


A comment form is available for your input regarding the project.

City staff working on the project can be reached via email.

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