project gallery

Southeast Connector

scope

The City of Des Moines hired Kirkham Michael to lead an engineering team for the city’s multi-phased development of the Southeast Connector urban arterial. The project involves design and construction of 5.7 miles of a new four-lane major urban arterial route extending from the central business district southeast to US highway 65, and 1.7 miles of a new 2-lane expansion to the SE 14th/15th corridor. Kirkham Michael completed several studies prior to design an environmental analysis, to determine how the SE Connectors projects could best support urban development and redevelopment of the region, provide efficient and effective transportation connections through the corridor, and integrate with existing municipal infrastructure.

Implementation

Kirkham Michael’s design services on the project include detailed design of the roadway systems, including connecting streets, bridges, signalization systems, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, aesthetic treatments, and recreational facilities. Kirkham Michael will also be providing construction administration and observation services throughout construction of the planned improvements.

Results

The project will ultimately provide a critical east/west urban arterial connection between U.S. Highway 65 to Downtown Des Moines.

Grand Opening

The Opening Ceremony for the Southeast Connector bridge at MLK Parkway was held on December 16, 2010. RDG Planning & Design, partners on the project, produced this video of the event.
Opening Ceremony video

Southeast
Connector
Urban Arterial

Location

Des Moines, Iowa

Start/Completion

2008 - 2016

PROJECT COST

$185 million

KM Services

• Environmental assessment
• Cultural / architectural
  resource survey
• Levee certification
• Public involvement
• Bridge design
• Wetland & geotechnical
• Architectural bridge design

Photos