Reconstruction of Des Moines' Fleur Drive begins this week

Set a reminder, south-side commuters: The yearslong process to reconstruct Fleur Drive will begin Monday, April 1.

Phase 1 of the project will replace the “severely deteriorated pavement” in Fleur Drive’s northbound lanes from Watrous Avenue to Bell Avenue, according to a news release from the city of Des Moines.

Nearly 30,000 cars use the road each day near the Park Avenue intersection, the city said. Fleur Drive is also the primary route to the Des Moines International Airport.

Starting Monday, weather permitting, crews will close the inside lanes in both directions to begin work on the median. Eventually, northbound traffic will be moved to the inside lane on the southbound side as crews remove and replace the street.

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Crews will also repair the storm sewers and add a new sidewalk and water main. Phase 1 is set to cost about $7.4 million, with the city paying $6.2 million. Des Moines Water Works will cover the rest.

The entire reconstruction of Fleur Drive from McKinley Avenue to just north of Bell Avenue is scheduled to take 4 to 5 years. Phase 2 of the project, replacing the southbound lanes from Watrous to Bell avenues, is set to begin in the fall of 2020.

Interested residents can keep up with the project on the city's website.