Des Moines, IA- The State Transportation Commission has approved millions of dollars for economic development road projects.
Radio Iowa reports that the DOT’s Deb Art presented a request from the city of Des Moines and its airport authority to add more funding to its previous request for the new airport terminal.
This application requests an additional amendment to the scope and grant award to provide additional roadway improvements for public access to the new terminal facility. Commercial vehicle lanes will be accessible to all public passengers and facilitate the growth of ride-sharing and ride-hailing transportation network companies hotel shuttles, taxi services and public transit services,” she says.
The money comes from the Rebuild Iowa’s Sound Economy or “RISE” funds.
“The total amended RISE eligible roadway costs would increase by over seven million to 19-million-663-thousand-391 dollars, ” Arp says. “And the city of Des Moines has requested three-million-513-thousand-350 dollars in additional Rise funds.”
The design of the roadway is expected to be completed in April of 2025, and construction completed by July of 2026.
The City of Mount Pleasant submitted a RISE application for a new roadway project.
“Requesting a grant to assist in the construction of approximately 1,033 feet of Eugene Way located in the west side of town. The proposed RISE roadway will provide access to three lots totaling more than 13 acres for light industrial purposes,” she says. Mount Pleasant was awarded half of the cost of the roadway project which is estimated to be around $487,000, the city will provide the other half.
Sioux City was also approved for an award to build a roadway along Highway 75 for a waterpark.
“The proposed rise roadway will support tourism and provide access to the proposed Siouxland Splash Waterslide Park development to be developed by Frontline Development LLC,” Arp says.
She says the award is based on the benefits the water park will bring.
“An economic impact study expects over 150,000 visitors to be attracted annually by the third year of operation, 12,547 overnight visitors, and the creation of 55 jobs,” Arp says.
