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April 12, 2024 - Minor Traffic Changes Coming to Middle Road and Competition Drive
Beginning Monday, April 15, 2024, work begins at the Middle Road and Competition Drive Roundabout as crews complete streetscaping, landscaping, and paint permanent pavement markings to help drivers see better in the dark and during inclement weather.
To ensure the safety of the traveling public and the construction workers onsite, the following traffic changes are taking place:
- Competition Drive will be closed on both sides of the roundabout (yellow on map below).
- Middle Road will be reduced to one lane of traffic in both directions through the roundabout (red on map below).
A detour will be in place using Forest Grove Drive (blue on the map below). These traffic changes will last for the duration of the project, which is expected to take approximately four weeks, weather permitting.
Happy Holidays Bettendorf!
December 20, 2023 - Bettendorf Wraps Up Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project and Gears Up for the Future
The biggest Public Works project in the City of Bettendorf’s history is nearly complete. The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project began in July 2022 and is now entering its final days:
Friday, December 22nd
On Friday, December 22nd, Middle Road is expected to fully open north of Forest Grove Drive (red lines on map below) along with Competition Drive located on either side of Middle Road (blue lines on map below). Competition Drive west of Middle Road includes access to Kwik Star, the TBK Bank Sports Complex, and commercial developments in The Plex. Competition Drive east of Middle Road includes access to more future commercial developments and Iron Tee – a climate-controlled interactive golf and entertainment complex on track to open in late Spring 2024.
Finishing Touches
Starting in Spring 2024, crews will complete some additional work that will have minimal impacts on traffic, which includes placing pavers in the islands of the roundabout at Middle Road and Competition Drive as well as a few sections of the recreational trail.
What Else to Expect in 2024
For those details, see the update on December 14, 2023 below!
The biggest Public Works project in the City of Bettendorf’s history is nearly complete. The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project began in July 2022 and is now entering its final days with some major milestones:
Friday December 15th
On Friday, December 15th, Forest Grove Drive is expected to open east of the roundabout located at Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road (green line on map below), opening Forest Grove Drive in its entirety from Criswell Street to Utica Ridge Road.
Friday, December 22nd
On Friday, December 22nd, Middle Road is expected to open north of Forest Grove Drive along with Competition Drive located on either side of Middle Road (yellow area on map below). Competition Drive west of Middle Road includes access to Kwik Star, the TBK Bank Sports Complex and commercial developments in The Plex. Competition Drive east of Middle Road includes access to more future commercial developments and Iron Tee – a climate-controlled interactive golf and entertainment complex on track to open in late Spring 2024.
What Else to Expect in 2024
There are two main “entrances” into the City of Bettendorf – Interstate 74 and Interstate 80. In December 2021, our community celebrated the opening of the new I-74 Bridge. Now, two years later, the City is honoring that iconic arch by announcing the timeline of another arch at I-80 and Middle Road. This “Gateway Bridge” is not for motorists, however. Instead, it will allow people to safely walk, run, or bike over Middle Road.
“This connects the TBK Bank Sports Complex Corner with the Iron Tee Corner of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road,” said Jeff Reiter, Assistant City Administrator and Economic Development Director. “As an added bonus, it serves as a connector in our regional trail system between Davenport and LeClaire and allows walkers, runners, and cyclists a spot to stop in this awesome tourism destination and take a well-deserved break in one of the many amenities offered in this growing area of our community.”
The “Gateway Bridge” was revealed in February 2022 as part of an announcement for the expansion of The Plex Corridor (To learn more, click here), which included the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project. This was the next exciting step years in the making stemming from a goal of the Bettendorf City Council – to have a regional youth sports complex that was privately-owned.
“Since opening in 2018, the TBK Bank Sports Complex has become a national footprint for youth sporting events,” said Decker Ploehn, City Administrator. “Not only that, it’s an economic catalyst. What’s been created in this area has far exceeded our expectations and we cannot be more excited for continued growth – including seeing the ‘Gateway Bridge” come to fruition.”
The “Gateway Bridge” is currently in the design phase, which is about 40% complete and expected to be finished in Summer 2024. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2024. As the design phase progresses, the funding mechanism for this project is also taking shape. On December 5th, the Bettendorf City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the I-80 Urban Renewal Plan, which allows the City to increase its capacity to bond up to $11 million. To pay for the bonds, the City will use tax revenue created from the area where the “Gateway Bridge” will stand and support the I-80 and Middle Road Corridor.
“The City does not intend to raise taxes to pay for these bonds and we will continue to submit grants to pay for other parts of the project,” said Ploehn.
The “Gateway Bridge” also coincides with a major state project. The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to reconfigure the I-80 and Middle Road Interchange beginning in 2025 – an estimated $58 million investment.
“This investment is yet another example of the success we’re seeing in this area and the reason why we need to provide a grand entrance for visitors and residents to see how special Bettendorf and the Quad Cities are. We are excited to move forward,” said Reiter.
The intersection of Middle Road and Forest Grove Drive is closing for four hours between 9am and 1pm on Wednesday, November 29th for construction. Northbound traffic on Middle Road will be detoured at Hopewell Avenue to Devils Glen Road and Forest Grove Drive. Southbound traffic will be detoured at Championship Drive and Forest Grove Drive.
October 18, 2023 - Portions of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road Now Open
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)
These areas will be used as the detour route (blue line and red line on map below) 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 will be closed.
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Valley Construction Front Loader "Cuts" Ribbon to Partially Open Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road on October 18th
October 13, 2023 - Bettendorf Holding Celebration for Partial Reopening of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road
On Wednesday, October 18th at 4:30pm, the City of Bettendorf is holding a unique “ribbon” cutting as a Valley Construction Front Loader drives through a road-wide banner to celebrate a major milestone in the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project - the partial reopening of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road.
Following Mayor Bob Gallagher’s remarks and the celebratory drive-thru, the City and Valley Construction are encouraging the community to participate in an Open Road Open House of The Plex, which consists of more than 30 stores, restaurants, bars, and the TBK Bank Sports Complex. This is an opportunity to reintroduce people to this vibrant area and support the businesses that have endured construction for months.
This next step in the Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project includes the opening of the following areas -
- Middle Road South of Forest Grove Drive
- Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road
- Forest Grove Drive and Championship Drive (West of Middle Road)
October 2, 2023 - Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road Reopening October 18th
The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project is getting closer and closer to the finish line as contractors diligently work despite a couple of hurdles – an abundance of rain in recent weeks and the delivery of materials being delayed.
At this time, these three areas are expected to open on Wednesday, October 18th -
- Middle Road South of Forest Grove Drive
- Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road
- Forest Grove Drive and Championship Drive (West of Middle Road)
The closures and detour routes that started on September 5th remain in effect. For those details, see the update on August 31, 2023 below.
September 15, 2023 - Still On Schedule
The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project is now more than 80% complete and has moved into the final phase of construction. The current detour (see first map below) is still in effect until the week of September 25th when major sections of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road will reopen to traffic (see second map below)!
August 31, 2023 - Upcoming Traffic Changes
The biggest Public Works project ever in the City of Bettendorf is now 80% complete. The Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project began in July 2022 and is now entering its final months. With that, comes some temporary traffic changes in September:
Tuesday, September 5th
Starting Tuesday, September 5th, these three areas are closing –
- Forest Grove Drive East of Competition Drive (East of Middle Road)
- Competition Drive between Middle Road and Forest Grove Drive (East of Middle Road)
- Middle Road and Competition Drive Intersection (North of Forest Grove Drive)
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: If you are coming from the north on Middle Road, there will be a temporary road built north of Kwik Star to detour traffic south to Competition Court and Competition Drive. From there, drivers will be back on the current detour along Competition Drive west to Forest Grove Drive (blue line on map below). If you are trying to get to Forest Grove Drive east of Middle Road, take Indiana Avenue north of Interstate 80 to Wells Ferry Road (red line on map below).
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: If you are coming from the south on Middle Road, you will need to take 53rd Avenue west to Devils Glen Road (red line on map below) or Hopewell Avenue east to Criswell Street and Wells Ferry Road to Indiana Avenue (red line on map below).
Access to Interstate 80 will be available from both the north and south with all ramps open. Access to the TBK Bank Sports Complex and nearby businesses will be from Forest Grove Drive and Competition Drive west of Middle Road only.
This closure is expected to last three weeks.
August 20, 2023 - Roadway Taking Shape
There is a lot of progress to show as crews work through these hot summer days to keep this project moving and grooving. As you can see in the video below, roads are being poured and pavers are being set:
July 25, 2023 - Progress, Progress, Progress
There is a lot of progress taking place this summer:
- NOW OPEN: Forest Grove Drive east of Friendship Path is now open to local traffic!
- Forest Grove Drive East of Middle Road: Crews have completed the first stage of concrete paving and utility work. They are also working on the recreational trail and installing decorative pavers.
- Middle Road and Forest Grove Drive West of Middle Road: Crews are currently in the second stage of paving.
- Forest Grove Drive West of Championship Drive: Crews are installing decorative pavers in the plaza and median areas.
May 8, 2023 - Adding Stop Signs to Help Reduce Traffic Backups
On Monday, May 8th, two intersections along the current Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road detour (see below) are undergoing a change to help traffic flow:
1) Devils Glen Road and Hopewell Avenue
2) Devils Glen Road and Forest Grove Drive
Both of these intersections are going to be converted to full stop intersections to help reduce backups due to the increased traffic associated with the detour. The stop signs at Devils Glen Road and Hopewell Avenue are permanent. The stop signs at Devils Glen Road and Forest Grove Drive are temporary until they are replaced with a traffic signal in 2024.
Additionally, the current crosswalk located north of the Devils Glen Road and Hopewell Avenue intersection will be removed and relocated to the north leg of the intersection itself.
Traffic control message boards will be in place to warn drivers of the change, with LED stop signs also being installed. Drivers are asked to use extra caution and to give themselves additional time during this change.
April 27, 2023 - Progress On (and Off - Iron Tee Golf!) Forest Grove Drive
April 15, 2023 - Businesses in The Plex are OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
March 17, 2023 - Driving the Detour with Mayor Bob
February 14, 2023 - Next Phase of Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project Begins February 21st
December 14, 2022 - Section of Forest Grove Drive Reopening to Traffic, New Section Closing
October 19, 2022 - City's Largest Public Works Project EVER Moving Forward
July 8, 2022 - Announcement of City's Largest Public Works Project EVER