Forevergreen Road extension strikes ahead promising quicker journey between communities

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The first part of the Forevergreen Road extension broke floor Wednesday, launching a years-in-the-making venture that officers say will enhance site visitors movement between Coralville and North Liberty.

The $20 million project is backed by $2.5 million in federal funding. Once full, the extension will join the roundabout close to North Central Junior High to North Liberty Road Northeast.

Travel time might drop considerably

North Liberty Mayor Chris Hoffman stated the extension will lower journey time between the 2 communities.

The present drive from North Liberty Road to North Central Junior High takes about eight minutes. Hoffman stated that very same journey might take simply two to 3 minutes as soon as the extension is full.

“If you live on one side of this extension or the other, that’s going to be a change in a good way for what your daily life will be like,” Hoffman stated.

Not everyone seems to be welcoming the change. Cathy Leazenby, a Coralville resident who lives adjoining to the venture, stated timber behind her residence have already been cleared to make method for the highway.

“I wouldn’t have bought our house if I would’ve known,” Leazenby stated.

She and her husband moved to the neighborhood 5 years in the past, drawn by its quiet setting and wooded yard.

“It was a lot of privacy and now, there’s none,” she stated.

Leazenby stated she and different neighbors are additionally involved about security.

“I understand why the community is doing this, to try to break the traffic. But breaking it through our neighborhood, it’s gonna be not as safe for the kids,” she stated.

Hoffman stated he understands the venture is not going to have the identical affect on everybody. Leazenby stated she is making an attempt to look forward.

Phase one building is predicted to proceed via fall of 2027. The remaining three phases nonetheless want further funding earlier than they’ll transfer ahead. The full venture might take a number of extra years to finish.