Busy Des Moines street will be under construction through the summer
One of the roughest streets in Des Moines is under construction.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway will look very different as the reconstruction of the major corridor begins.
The work is being done from Hickman Road to Euclid Avenue.
It will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction. City officials said the lane reduction is so that crews can start street milling and patching up the high-traveled street.
The project is funded through the local option sales tax, approved one year ago.
City Engineer Steve Naber said in eight months, they have nearly 28 lane miles of residential and major roadway rehabilitation underway, all funded through that sales tax.
"We think travelers along this street will be happy once this project's done, not only providing a brand new surface course to drive on, but fixing the base course in spot locations where motorists have probably seen potholes and other cracking along the street," said Naber.
Drivers are urged to use caution when driving in the area. Obey all construction zone signing and expect delays.
The first phase of the reconstruction is expected to go through 5 p.m. on Friday, July 3. The project is expected to wrap up late this summer.