DES MOINES, Iowa — City officials are set to break ground on the 6th Avenue Corridor Streetscape project on Thursday.
About $8 million dollars will be spent on 1.2 miles of street and sidewalks from Hickman to I-235 in Des Moines.
Phase one will focus on 6th Avenue between Hickman Avenue south through College Avenue.
Phases two and three will complete the project south to Interstate 235.
In an effort to focus less on the cars and more on the community of the corridor, the project will reduce the five-lane road down to three lanes in an effort to calm traffic and create a safer space for pedestrians. That is why they are also widening the sidewalks along the road.
The wider sidewalks will also serve as a space for bikers.
According to WHO Channel 13, all three phases of the project should be completed in the next three years.
The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony February 28th at 11:30 A.M. at 1714 6th Avenue with a reception in the Apartments of Prairie Trace right after.