SOUTHEAST CONNECTOR

E. MLK Jr. Parkway (SE Connector) SE 30th to U.S. 65 Bypass

City of Des Moines, Iowa

The project from SE 30th Street to U.S. Highway 65 Bypass at Pleasant Hill Boulevard is approximately 13,200 linear feet (2.5 miles)

The design also includes the following side streets: approximately 1,700 linear feet on SE 30th Street, approximately 1,100 linear feet along SE 36th Street, approximately 1,500 linear feet along SE 43rd Street, approximately 2,800 linear feet along relocated South Pleasant Hill Boulevard, approximately 1,000 linear feet along a relocated entrance drive to the Four-Mile Grain Terminal and about 200 linear feet along the U.S. 65 southbound exit ramp. Traffic signals are included at SE 30th Street (modification only), SE 36th Street, SE 43rd Street, and South Pleasant Hill Boulevard. Other roadway features included in the project design are storm drainage, city-owned water and sewer lines, street lighting, sidewalks, trails, pavement markings, signage, erosion control, landscaping, construction phasing, and construction traffic control.

SE Connector Bridge over Fourmile Creek

Design includes dual bridges extending over Four-Mile Creek and the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The bridge is a 1515’ x 36’ seven-span continuous welded plate girders (CWPG) that will carry the roadway over Fourmile Creek and a skewed crossing of a NS Railroad spur. The bridge contains a long span of 252’ and will feature a superstructure of five-8.5’ deep CWPGs. The bridge has a 40-degree right-ahead skew and the railroad spur crossing occurs at a 70-degree skew with the roadway centerline. The west abutment of the bridge and its associated grading are integrated with the Des Moines River levee system.

Kirkham Michael worked in close coordination with several agencies including the Cities of Des Moines and Pleasant Hill; USACE to minimize impacts to the Des Moines River and Levee System; four different railroads; Iowa DOT and FHWA; and Iowa DNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State Historic Preservation Office. Services included: location study, environmental and NEPA documentation, alternatives development, roadway design, bridge design, public involvement, noise study, traffic capacity analysis, cultural resources survey, bridge aesthetic study, Memorandum of Understanding, 4(f) statement, wetlands delineation, and construction administration.