Ames Public Works

06/22/2026

🚧 TRAFFIC ALERT – S. Walnut Ave & S. 3rd Street Intersection Closure 🚧

Beginning at 5:00 a.m. Wednesday and continuing through Friday afternoon, the City of Ames Water Division will be working at the intersection of S. Walnut Avenue and S. 3rd Street to repair a leaking water valve.

To minimize future disruptions, crews will also repair additional water valves within the intersection that have deteriorated bolts. Completing this work now will help prevent the need for another intersection closure in the future.

💧 Water Service
No water service interruptions are anticipated during this work.

🚗 Traffic Impacts
• Traffic will be permitted to travel westbound on S. 3rd Street and southbound on S. Walnut Avenue through the intersection.
• All other traffic movements through the intersection will be closed and rerouted.
• Please follow all posted detour signs and use caution when traveling through the area.

🚲 Bicycle & Pedestrian Impacts
• The bike path on the south side of S. 3rd Street will be closed to eastbound bicycle traffic through the intersection.
• Pedestrians will be detoured around the closure on the west side of the intersection.
• The north/south pedestrian crossing on the east side of the intersection will be closed during construction.

Thank you for your patience as crews complete these necessary repairs to maintain and improve the City's water infrastructure.

06/18/2026

📢 Reminder: The Duff Avenue Corridor Study survey closes Friday, June 26!
The City of Ames is studying the Duff Avenue corridor from the Union Pacific Railroad crossing near Main Street to 16th Street, evaluating traffic safety, walkability, pedestrian crossings, railroad crossing impacts, and long-term improvement needs.

Earlier this spring, the City gathered input from residents, business owners, and corridor users on existing conditions, concerns, and priorities along the corridor. Based on that community feedback and technical analysis, the study is recommending a conversion of Duff Avenue from a four-lane road to a three-lane configuration, with one travel lane in each direction and a center turn lane. This type of change has been shown to improve safety, reduce conflict points, and create space for wider sidewalks and safer pedestrian crossings, while still maintaining acceptable traffic flow along the corridor.

Your feedback matters! Survey results will be shared with the Ames City Council at an informational workshop on July 21, 2026, where staff will present the study's findings and potential next steps. Take the survey before it closes and make your voice heard.

🔗 www.duffavenuestudy.com

06/17/2026

Bloomington and Stange work area has currently reduced traffic eastbound lanes this morning. We are asking motorists to traverse this area with or find alternative routes.

After lunch, the westbound lands will be narrowed for pavement work. Please move through this area carefully.

06/15/2026

Hyland Ave will continue with single lane alternating traffic while switching traffic to the northbound lane of Hyland Ave.

Starting Date: Wednesday, June 17th.

Hyland Avenue will remain open to through traffic, with a temporary traffic signal controlling alternating northbound and southbound traffic in the newly paved northbound lane. This stage will extend from 1015 Hyland Avenue to Oakland St.

Pammel Dr. will remain closed to all through traffic from Hyland Ave.

The existing sidewalk on the west side of Hyland Ave. will be closed for removal and replacement with a new ten-foot shared-use path to Oakland St. Because cyclists will need to use the street lane through the work zone, they should consider detouring via South Dakota Avenue.

Anticipated Duration: 7-8 weeks, weather dependent for this stage of the project.

Action Required by Residents: Expect delays with alternating traffic. Use alternate routes if available. Use caution, as lanes will be narrow and workers will be near lanes of traffic. Traffic may be stopped during paving operations.

Set out garbage cans as normal. The contractor will coordinate moving cans to a pickup location and back to driveways.
For mailboxes that require relocation, a temporary cluster box will be placed on Ross Rd.

For more information visit our project website at https://www.cityofames.org/hyland or use the QR code on the left side of this notice

06/10/2026

Duff Avenue Corridor Survey #2 is Live!

Survey #2 for the Duff Ave Corridor is now open- sharing improvement concepts developed from both technical analysis and community input on existing conditions, concerns, and priorities along the Duff Avenue corridor.

The concept includes converting the roadway from a four-lane undivided configuration to a three-lane configuration, with one travel lane in each direction and a center two-way left-turn lane. (The study area includes the Pacific Railroad Crossing near Main Street north to 16th Street. )

Residents, business owners, and corridor users are encouraged to share their thoughts through an online survey by Friday, June 26, at www.duffavenuestudy.com.

“The Duff Avenue corridor study includes evaluating traffic operations, safety, walkability, connectivity, railroad crossing impacts, overall corridor function, as well as identifying long-term improvement concepts that support the needs of residents, businesses, and corridor users,” said Kyle Thompson, Project Manager. “Public feedback will be used to help refine the recommended improvement concepts.”

05/30/2026

Work to Begin on Bloomington Road June 1st

The outside lanes will close for spot replacements of curb and gutter along Bloomington Rd. The south portion of the Stange Rd intersection will close for the removal and replacement of PCC pavement, curb, and a storm water structure replacement.

The south crosswalk will be closed for this work, but either the east or west crosswalk through the intersection will remain open. A pedestrian detour will be signed as these closures take place.

With the completion of concrete work, Manatts will then begin the process of removing (milling) the current asphalt surface of the outside lanes and overlaying a new surface. This will be followed by switching traffic to the outside lanes and resurfacing the inside lanes with the same process.

Anticipated Duration
• South portion of the Stange Rd intersection: 1–2 weeks.
• Curb spot replacements and new surface for the outside lanes: 2–3 weeks.

Action Required by Residents:

For access to Bloomington Rd from the south, please use George Washington Carver Ave or Hoover Ave.

Please use alternate routes if available. Use caution, as lanes will be narrow and workers will be near lanes of traffic. Traffic may be stopped periodically during paving operations in the Stange intersection.

For more project information, visit www.cityofames.org/construction.

05/28/2026

Ames Sidewalk Safety Program Inspections

Residents may notice pink paint markings on sidewalks near their property this week and throughout the summer. These markings indicate the area was recently inspected by City staff as part of the Sidewalk Safety Program.

Public sidewalks are an important part of Ames’ transportation network and help keep routes safe and accessible for pedestrians of all ages and abilities, including children, older adults, and individuals with mobility or vision disabilities.

Under City of Ames Municipal Code Chapter 22.1 and Iowa Code Section 364.12(d) and (e), sidewalk maintenance and repair are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.

What to expect:
• City staff inspect sidewalks throughout the community in response to reported concerns.
• Pink paint markings identify sidewalk panels with safety concerns such as cracking, settling, or heaving, and indicate approved repair options.
• Property owners will receive additional information about required repairs and completion timelines.

Property owners are encouraged to work with a qualified contractor or contact the Public Works Department to discuss repair options or unique situations.

Learn more about the Sidewalk Safety Program at the City of Ames website, visit www.cityofames.org/sidewalks.

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

Mowing weather is here! Third winter has passed and we believe Spring and Summer are here!

Please help us keep Ames beautiful and our streets safe by not blowing grass clippings into the street.

Grass clippings left in the street can:
• Create slippery conditions for drivers, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
• Clog storm drains, which can lead to localized flooding and water quality issues.
• Contribute nutrients to waterways that can negatively impact water quality.

A few extra minutes to keep clippings on your lawn and out of the street is immensely helpful to keep Ames clean, safe, and sustainable.

05/26/2026

🚧The Vet Med Trail will be temporarily closed between S. 16th Street and S. Grand Avenue on Friday, May 29, from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. while crews remove a large tree that fell into Worrell Creek.

Pedestrians and bicyclists should follow the posted detour:
• Northbound users should use the shared use path along S. 16th Street over to Grand Avenue.
• Southbound users should remain on the shared use path along Grand Avenue down to the S. 16th Street shared use path.

⛳️Golf carts accessing Coldwater Golf Links will still be permitted to cross the trail at designated crossing locations during the closure.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while this work is completed safely