Project of the Week: 34th Street SE

The neighborhood on 34^th Street SE is about to get a lot more drivable - and a lot more walkable, too.

Crews are currently at work rebuilding the concrete roadway on 34th Street SE from Bever Avenue to near Spoon Creek Court. They will also be constructing new sidewalk along the east side of the street from Bever Avenue to Cottage Grove Avenue.

Construction is divided into two phases, divided by a line that is roughly 300 feet north of the intersection with Terry Drive and Kegler Court. The south side of the dividing line is being constructed this year. The north side is planned to be constructed in 2027.

"People in this neighborhood understand why this work is important," says project manager Andrew Kunde. "They know how bad the road was, and they have been pretty receptive to the idea of getting it re-done."

The work is made possible by Paving for Progress, a program that exists solely for the maintenance, repair, construction and reconstruction of public streets. Seventy-five percent of the program's projects are in residential neighborhoods like 34^th Street.

The program is funded by a one percent local option sales tax, meaning the repairs are funded by both Cedar Rapids residents and visitors who shop and dine in our community.

Working With Neighbors

Repairing 34^th Street SE has been in the works for years. Multiple meetings were held with the public in 2024 and 2025, allowing residents to see what was planned, ask questions, and weigh in with any concerns.

"I've personally spoken with multiple residents out here to see if they've had any questions," Kunde says. "The contractor distributed door hangers to keep them updated, and when the contractor had to delay the start of the project, they even gave flowers to local residents to apologize."

The work on 34^th Street isn't just about fixing the road surface. Workers are also installing new storm sewer and water mains, as well as putting in new retaining walls and creating a new sidewalk for the neighborhood.

This week the crews are focused mainly on installing the new storm sewer. Crews have also made temporary driveways for residents where needed in order to maintain road access.

Investing in the future

Residents often ask how streets are selected for repair each year. The City uses a 10-year management plan using pavement condition data collected on every street in Cedar Rapids. The data is collected by a vehicle that drives the surface of the roads and collects data on texture, pavement distress, and roughness.

Fresh data is collected every two years, and the plan is updated accordingly. Key goals include:

• Fully reconstruct some of the roads in worst condition
• Perform less costly preventative maintenance to extend the life of additional roads, investing in those roads before they reach the end of their service life
• Make improvements to residential neighborhoods that have long been neglected
  
  

"The City is very grateful for residents' support of the Paving for Progress program," says Doug Wilson, Engineering Manager for Paving for Progress. "Without the local option sales tax being approved by voters twice, the program wouldn't exist, and streets like 34^th Street would continue to deteriorate.

"Instead, we have been able to repair so many streets over the past 12 years," he says. "Residents tell us that they are very appreciative of the City working on their street, and of the efforts by the City staff to communicate with the neighborhood throughout the work process."

You can learn more about the 34^th Street SE project here. Learn more about Paving for Progress here.

Project of the Week puts a spotlight on work happening all over the City every day. Each week, we will take a closer look at projects that are investing in our community's roads, trails, Flood Control System, and more. See previous installments here:

July 3: Roundhouse
June 25: Mount Vernon Road
June 18: Grande Avenue SE
June 11: O Avenue NW Time Check Elevation Project
June 5: Nassau Street
May 28: Cedar Lake
May 21: Tree of Five Seasons Park
May 14: 20th Street NW
May 7: 18th Avenue SW
April 30: Alliant Energy LightLine™
April 23: 42nd Street
April 16: The 3rd Avenue Bridge