Bondurant underpass that connects east and west sides open for cyclists, pedestrians
A path underneath Highway 65 that connects the east and west sides of Bondurant is officially open.
The city announced in a Tuesday news release that the sidewalk connection off 15th Street to the Gay Lea Wilson Trail underpass under Highway 65/Hubbell Avenue is now open after it removed barricades. The $3.6 million underpass project, which began construction in 2022, provides a safe way for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the highway, including Bondurant residents who live east of the highway and had no such connection.
More: A dog park and a bicycle underpass: What's happening in Bondurant in 2023
City leaders also envision the underpass as a vital piece of an eventual trail extension between Bondurant and Altoona.
"While there is still work to be done in terms of lighting and landscaping, we are thrilled to announce that the underpass is open for use," Public Works Director John Horton said in a statement. "The removal of barricades represents the commitment of our team to enhance the quality of life for Bondurant residents and visitors."
Further work remains to be done on lighting and landscaping in the area.
Bondurant, Ankeny announce safer school crossings
Bondurant also announced this week a new pedestrian signal at the intersection of 13th Street Northwest and Grant Street, near the entrance to Bondurant-Farrar Junior High School.
The signal will alert drivers to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the street.
More: Des Moines metro schools battle heat as they open for the year with new buildings, leaders
And officials in Ankeny announced two new 15 mph school speed zones with trained crossing guards: one for Heritage Elementary on Southwest Prairie Trail Parkway and one for St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School on Northwest Weigel Drive.
Ankeny also installed new pedestrian and cyclist alert signals in four places:
Southeast Shurfine Drive at the High Trestle Trail crossing
Southeast Magazine Road at the marked school crosswalk near Southeast Trilein Drive, near Southeast Elementary
Northwest Ash Drive at Northwest Wagner Boulevard, near Prairie Ridge Middle School
Northwest Prairie Ridge Drive at the marked school crosswalk south of Prairie Ridge Middle School
Chris Higgins covers the eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Gay Lea Wilson Trail underpass at Highway 65 in Bondurant open
