Public Improvement Projects

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Engineering has collaborated with Public Works, Parks, Water and Information Technology (GIS) Departments to develop a Construction Season Project Dashboard. This dashboard will show all City infrastructure and maintenance projects that fall within the City right-of-way.

Construction Dashboard Tips and Tricks:

Click on the Magnifying Glass in the upper right-hand corner to search for a specific address.
Click on the Legend button in the upper right-hand corner to learn what each of the map icons represent.
Click on any Icon on the map – an Attribute box will pop up, illustrating useful information, including project name, description, department in charge, department contact, contractor, start date and completion dates.

For other road closures in the metro area:

Cedar Rapids - Street Closures
Linn County Secondary Roads - Closure Information
Hiawatha - Project Information
Robins - Main Street Closure

Engineering also provides a Project Newsletter to assist individuals who wish to stay informed regarding active and proposed City Projects.

7th Ave Streetscape by 11th St Plaza - Night

The following projects were included in Engineering's 2026 Annual Work Program. Some are in the planning and development stages.

1st Avenue Reconstruction Project

2025 1st Avenue Reconstruction Project
Rathje Construction – $1,747,847.27

Funding Source: Pavement Management Program and the Sanitary Sewer Manhole & Sliplining Program

Project Overview: The project includes the complete removal and replacement of 1st Avenue from the intersection of 15th Street to 22nd Street as well as removal and replacement of 22nd Street from 1st Avenue to 3rd Avenue. The project includes necessary upgrades to water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer infrastructure.

Progress Update: Work on Stage 1, including work from 15th Street to just east of 19th Street, is complete. Work on Stage 2 will begin after school is completed this spring, and be completed in 85 working days. The intersection of 1^st Ave & 22^nd shall be completed by August 14, 2026. Stage 2 includes completing all utility, paving, driveway and sidewalk work along 1st Avenue and including the 22nd Street intersection.

ARPA Sanitary Trunk Sewer Projects 4/5

This project is a result of the 2020 HDR Sanitary Sewer Study. This project was selected to use City of Marion ARPA distribution funds for the sanitary sewer work ($3,510,000). Marion Water Department also received ARPA funds and will use those funds for the water work ($600,000).

Work includes reconstruction and upsizing of a sanitary sewer along Indian Creek from Central Avenue to 10th Street, and along Central Avenue from Indian Creek to Boyson Road.

Work also includes water main replacement along Central Avenue from Indian Creek to Boyson Road, and north along Larick Drive to Isham Drive. This project will require the closure of Indian Creek Trail from Central Avenue to 10th Street for a portion of the 2025 construction season.

CeMar Trail

Project Overview:

Phase I - Demolition of Existing Rail Bridge over Marion Blvd - Phase I complete
Phase II - Construction of Paved Trail from Grand Avenue Spur to Marion Blvd Bridge over Indian Creek. Phase II complete
Phase III - Reconfiguration and Preservation of Existing Rail Bridge over Indian Creek and Construction of Paved Trail Adjacent to Bridge. Phase III complete
Phase IV - Construction of Pedestrian Trail Bridge over Marion Blvd and Paved Trail from Bridge to 7th Street. Phase IV complete
Phase V - Construction of Paved Trail from Grand Avenue Spur to City Limits near Mount Cavalry Cemetery ($1,886,000). Phase V in progress

Cemar Trail

CIPP Rehabilitation Project

2026 CIPP Rehabilitation Project
Engineer's Estimate – $267,630

Funding Source: Funding will be provided through the Sanitary Trunk Sewer - Project 9 Project

Project Overview: This project will clean and slip line approximately 2,900 LF of 8 inch and 3,350 LF of 10-inch sanitary sewer main under Grand Avenue (S. 11th Street to East of S. 22nd Street), A Avenue (S.15th Street to S. 22nd Street), S. 15th Street (C Avenue to A Avenue), Krumboltz Drive, and Dwight Drive.

Progress Update: Project work is specified to be completed by November 13, 2026.

HMA Resurfacing Project

2026 HMA Resurfacing Project

Project Overview: This annual program includes the asphalt overlay of public streets evaluated to be both in the most need, and to provide the greatest benefit to the most drivers. Staff reviewed street conditions to select locations to be included in the 2026 program.

Progress Update: The HMA project will include the following streets:

35th Street - 3rd Avenue to Grant Wood Trail
35th Street - 10th Avenue to Willowood Avenue
8th Avenue - 22nd Street to 25th Street
E Robins Road - Church to Alburnett Rd
Alpine Road - Linnview Drive to End
W 14th Avenue - Elm Street to End
6th Street - Central Avenue to End
13th Avenue - 6th Street to 10th Street
12th Avenue - 10th Street to 12th Street
12th Street - 10th Avenue to 14th Avenue
Country Club Drive - 16th Street to 24th Street
16th Street - Country Club Drive to Brockman Avenue
Maplecrest Drive - Country Club Drive to 15th Avenue
S 12th Street - A Avenue to F Avenue
F Avenue - S 12th Street to S 14th Street

Work shall be completed no later than September 25, 2026.

Major Patching Project

2026 Pavement Patching Project

Project Overview: This project includes the rehabilitation of several roads throughout the city. The work includes full depth patch and surface grinding. As always occurs, not all streets in need will be addressed in this year’s project but will be considered for future years.

Progress Update: The 2026 Pavement Patching Project includes full depth patching, surface grinding and other associated improvements to the following roadways:

10th Street from Indian Creek Road to 500 ft north of Tower Terrace Road
29th Avenue from 10th Street to Indian Creek Road
35th Street from Industrial Avenue to 3rd Avenue

Work is specified to begin no later than July 3, 2026 and be completed within 80 working days.

Marion Blvd Bridge Approach & Deck Repair Project

Marion Blvd Bridge Approach & Deck Repair Project

Project Overview: This project will replace the bridge pavement approaches, patch and seal the bridge deck, perform a bridge beam repair and other associated improvements to the Marion Blvd. bridge near Thomas Park.

Progress Update: Work is specified to begin no later than July 6, 2026 and be completed within 50 working days.

This project will have impacts to traffic during construction. The project will be constructed in phases to ensure one lane of traffic is operational at all times on Marion Blvd. Due to the proximity of the work area to the Marion Blvd & 1st Street Traffic Signals, these signals will be covered (shut off) during this project. The 1st Street intersection will be converted to a right-in/ right-out during construction. The intersection will be reopened to today's current configuration upon project completion.

Projects in Development

7th Avenue Reconstruction Project - 12th Street to 22nd Street

7th Avenue Reconstruction - 12th Street to 22nd Street Project
Engineer's Construction Estimate: $6.5 Million

Funding Source: Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funding through the Corridor MPO, GO bonding and LOST.

Project Overview: The City of Marion is planning for the next phase of 7th Avenue reconstruction for 10 City blocks on the eastern edge of Uptown Marion. The project includes full reconstruction of the roadway and the replacement of underground sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water infrastructure. The roadway will be converted from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction with a dedicated center turn lane. Additionally, streetscape improvements will occur between 12th and 15th Streets to enhance the walkability of the district. Work is expected to begin in 2027 and span two construction seasons.

Progress Update: An Open House was held on January 26, 2026.

Alburnett Road Extension Project

CONTRACT:
Concept Study - Snyder & Associates, $248,950.00

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The project, using LOST funding - $1,300,000.00, will include the first phase of the extension of Alburnett Road from 7th Avenue to Boyson Road. The funding includes several early phases of the project: concept study, design, and possible right-of-way acquisitions. Project funding is not intended to provide for the construction of the bridge over Indian Creek, but will provide for extensive preliminary work to be completed.

On Feb. 15, 2001 Council approved the alignment option extending Alburnett Road south from Edinburgh Drive, south across Indian Creek, through Willow Park and along 2nd Street to 7th Avenue. Council later reaffirmed the need for the realignment due to traffic volumes and congestion along Central Avenue and 10th Street. On March 17, 2016 City Council directed staff to solicit engineering services to complete a concept study. Staff has since solicited Requests for Proposals, which were due on April 13, 2016. After staff's review of the proposals and recommendation to City Council, Snyder and Associates was awarded the contract June 23, 2016.

For more background information regarding the history of the Alburnett Road Extension Project, please read the memo staff presented to Council on June 22, 2017.
Alburnett Road Extension Project History - Council Memo

PROGRESS UPDATES:

The box culvert installation that is required for the bridge backwater and Indian Creek Trail was completed in the spring of 2020. In June of 2024, a funding agreement was executed with the IDOT that included 7 million dollars of Community Project Funding that was awarded through Congresswoman Hinson. The staff and design team have been working through design and required environmental clearances with the goal of letting the project in the summer of 2026.

Alburnett Road Extension Study

Tower Terrace Road

Tower Terrace Road will provide another major east-west arterial route across the northern portion of the Cedar Rapids metro area, connecting Interstate 380 to Iowa 13.

Tower Terrace Road, from C Ave. to Alburnett Road, is a critical connector that runs east to west. Ultimately, the project will connect to elements that stretch from Interstate 380 at Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids to Highway 13 on the east side of Marion. Tower Terrace Road stands to become an important commercial corridor that will promote sustainable development and help the surrounding communities become stronger.

Planners for Linn County and four surrounding communities—including Cedar Rapids and Marion—laid the groundwork for the project decades ago. Tower Terrace Road is designed to serve as a crosstown route that provides access to an area with a projected population grown of 40,000 by the year 2040.

For an up-to-date schedule, current design and additional information regarding Tower Terrace Road between C Avenue and Alburnett Road, please visit the Tower Terrace Road webpage.

Tower Terrace Road Design Concept Report