utilities
In order to revitalize the Pearl Street Corridor and promote redevelopment in the city, Sioux City began a multi-phase, multiple-year project to replace paving and aging utilities and install new sidewalks, decorative street lights and traffic signals where needed.
Since the soils were soft and drainage was minimal, subdrains were installed along each side of the street under a drainage base. The subdrains were connected to the proposed storm sewer system.
DGR Engineering was selected as the most qualified firm to provide the design services for each of the three phases of the project. The projects included investigation of existing utilities in the area that in general were over 100 years old and planned improvements for utilities, paving, traffic signal and streetscaping items. Colored concrete, ornamental trees, and decorative light poles were included in the project design for Phases II and III.
Phase I included coordination with the Prime Living construction project between 7th and 8th Streets that was under development as well as the reconfiguration and reconstruction of the skewed intersection with W 7th Street in order to improve turning movements and align the through movements with 8th Street to the east of Pearl Street. Phases II and III included coordination with many of the property owners along the street to close up area ways (basements that extended in the public right of way under the sidewalks) in order to replace the deteriorating sidewalks.
Phase III was delayed several times due to funding issues, but ultimately was fast tracked to bids with the added reconstruction work on 3rd Street from Water Street to Pearl Street and utility relocation work to be completed in time for the opening of the new Hard Rock Casino.
Construction on all phases of the project was coordinated with business/property owners and split into multiple construction phases to provide access during construction and maintain traffic crossing the project corridor as much as possible. DGR was involved in all aspects of survey, design and letting of all phases of the project and provided all construction services, including administration, observation, and staking Phases I and III.
The reconstruction of Jackson Street was part of the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for several years. The reconstruction started several years ago at 36th Street with work extending south since then. Recently the City desired to extend the reconstruction from 18th Street to south of 14th Street.
DGR Engineering was selected as the most qualified firm to provide the design services for this project. This project included new utilities (sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main), new sidewalks, paving and traffic signals. An HMA street option was also presented in the plans which included a granular base and subdrains. Improvements to W. 14th Street extended one-half block west.
A traffic study was completed by our traffic engineer subconsultant, Snyder and Associates, in the area of W. 14th Street and Jackson Street. Improvements to the northeast corner radius of W. 14th and Jackson Street was also part of the plan. The project was completed in three (3) stages with up to two (2) phases in a stage.
Project details including access during construction were discussed with local businesses. DGR was involved in all aspects of survey, design and letting of the project as well as limited construction administration.
This project involved the reconstruction of approximately 8,500 linear feet of residential street including replacement of all utilities located between Hamilton Boulevard and Grandview Park and between W. 23rd Street and the Valley Drive.
The project was phased over a three-year timeline due to the steep topography, curved streets, narrow right of way, and lack of side street and alley access.
The project also included adding sidewalk along one side of the street and colored and stenciled concrete at crosswalks. A stamped and stained emblem chosen by the Heights Association (created as a result of this project), was imprinted into the driveway of each residence along with the year the house was built.
The project was coordinated with private utility companies (MidAmerican, Qwest and Cable One) to relocate private utilities prior to street reconstruction using directional bore in a City obtained permanent utility easement.
All overhead utilities are to be installed underground. In order to involve the residents in the design process and to prepare them for construction, the area was separated into four (4) zones with lead and alternate representatives identified to be involved in the design process. A total of four (4) public meetings were held for the project to discuss the project schedule, design features, construction impacts, etc.
This pair of projects encompassed eight downtown alley blocks over two construction contracts in consecutive years. The improvements consisted of new underground telephone, cable and electric lines; converting the old overhead equipment and repairing the full alley width with new concrete. The project navigated converting utilities, narrow corridors and staging while minimizing disturbance to the public to create a revitalized look to the downtown business district.