City of Des Moines Engineering

09/09/2026

An important update on Trail Closures and Park Impacts throughout the City as we continue to respond to the damage caused by the storm.

09/09/2026

Heads up!

Due to flooding from the Raccoon River, George Flagg Parkway will be closed from Park Avenue to SW 30th Street. Please use alternate routes to navigate the area.

Additional road and trail closures are possible, please do not attempt to pass barricades or flooded roadways.

🚧 FLOOD CLOSURE: George Flagg Parkway

Due to flooding from the Raccoon River, George Flagg Parkway will be closed from Park Avenue to SW 30th Street. Please use alternate routes to navigate the area.

Additional road and trail closures are possible, please do not attempt to pass barricades or flooded roadways.

Further closers in the area may be necessary as river and creek levels rise. We will update you here and at DSM.city/FloodAlert if that is the case.

For trees downed in power lines or power outages, please report them to MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632 or on their website: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/ecss/Outage

Trees or branches blocking public roadways or sidewalks can be reported to our Forestry Division with the myDSM app, available at DSM.city/Report.

Des Moines Police and Fire personnel have been actively assisting residents during recent flooding. If you witness someone stranded in flood waters, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Stay safe around flooded roadways and remember—TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN! Thank you!

07/28/2026

As we prepare for the FY28 budget, our City leaders want to hear directly from residents and community members on which services matter most to you. This week marks the end of this opportunity to make your voice heard by taking the City of Des Moines Budget Savings Calculator exercise.

The City of Des Moines is facing a $12 million budget shortfall following changes to property tax legislation by state lawmakers, which limit revenue growth and impact our ability to maintain current service levels.

City leaders have already identified $6.43 million in administrative cost savings, but they are seeking your input on which services to prioritize as we look at making up the rest of the gap anticipated in next year's budget.

This exercise remains open for you to provide your feedback through Friday, July 31! Visit the link below to access the Budget Savings Calculator exercise.

The City of Des Moines is facing a budget shortfall following several changes to Iowa state property tax legislation. Utilize this tool to identify your priorities as we work through service levels.

07/28/2026

🚧 Traffic Alert: Saylor Road Closure 🚧

Beginning Wednesday, July 29, at 9 a.m., Saylor Road between Watson Avenue and Arthur Avenue will be closed for gas main improvements. The closure is expected to remain in place through Friday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m., weather permitting.

The project will increase natural gas capacity to the neighborhood while replacing aging gas valves. Construction is expected to be completed before Des Moines Public Schools returns to class.

Local access will be maintained for surrounding neighborhood streets and Captain Roy’s throughout construction.

Detour Route:
➡️ E. Washington Avenue
➡️ E. 9th Street
➡️ Hull Avenue
➡️ Cornell Street

Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and use caution around the work zone. Thank you for your patience as this important infrastructure improvement is completed.

07/16/2026

After a short pause for the Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival, the Hickman Resurfacing Project is back at it, with the goal of finishing the project in the coming weeks.

Take a look at a quick fly-through of the progress made so far.

As always, thank you for your patience, and look out for one another while out on the roads!

06/02/2026

🚧 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Due to the rain we have received this week and the rain still forecast, we've delayed the start of this project to next Friday, June 12. Thank you again to everyone for your patience.🚧

Crews will begin resurfacing Hickman Road between Merle Hay Road and Beaver Avenue as part of a project to improve pavement conditions and extend the roadway's life. Work includes repairing select sections of pavement and replacing the top layer of asphalt along the corridor.

Construction will take place in five stages, beginning near Merle Hay Road and progressing east. During construction, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic" signs will be posted at each end of the project area. Residents within the project limits will still be able to access their homes, though access routes may change depending on the active construction stage.

Please note: During milling and patching operations, residents will be able to access driveways. However, on the day asphalt is placed, the street will be closed, and driveway access will be temporarily unavailable until the new pavement has cooled and the roadway reopens, typically later the same day.

Drivers and residents are encouraged to use caution in the work zone and watch for construction crews, trucks, and heavy equipment.

Thank you for your patience as we make improvements to Hickman Road!

05/01/2026

The long-awaited day is here – the replacement of the Walnut Street Bridge is complete and open to the public!

This marks the completion of the 3rd and final bridge replacement downtown. Work will continue over the next couple of months to finish installing the final touches, but the bridge is officially open to traffic.

04/30/2026

Take a look at some big projects opening up right before summer!

04/23/2026

🚧 Ingersoll Streetscape Construction Update 🚧

Thank you for your patience along the corridor during construction season.

The latest work during Phase 5:
• Storm sewer installed
• Water main relocations underway

What’s in the near future:
• Continued storm sewer and water main work

Looking ahead:
• Driveway + retaining wall work will begin this month (weather dependent)
• Additional retaining wall work will begin in early May

This streetscape project is about more than construction. It’s about safer streets, updated infrastructure, and a more walkable, accessible corridor for everyone.

03/27/2026

Thank you to the APWA Iowa Chapter for letting us crash the Spring Conference at the Iowa Events Center this week! We are making strides through our Vision Zero Program, and we appreciate the opportunity to share it on this big stage!