Jan. 23rdDecember21st

This project entails complete reconstruction, including storm sewer and water mains. The contractor is targeting a substantial completion date of summer 2026. 

Thru traffic will be detoured to 63^rd St. for the duration of 73rd St. construction.  The construction will be completed in six phases with Stage four coordinated to correspond with 2025 school summer break. The contractor will have 300 working days to complete the entire project.  Local traffic will be able to access the portions of 73^rd St. not actively under construction. 

Most businesses on 73^rd St. have two access drives and one will remain open at all times during the construction project. For businesses with a single driveway, access will be maintained to the business with a gravel access except during any active construction work directly in front of the driveway. This construction work would typically be scheduled for a weekend during off-peak business hours. 

During construction stages 1 and 2, the trail along 73^rd will be closed. 

See linked graphics for detour route, phasing and further staging information (Note: Stages 2 is slated for early 2026).

Important information for residents and businesses along 73rd Street.

Updates Posted Jan. 23rd, 2026

Please note while updates are posted weekly, weather and other conditions in the field may lead to outdated information posted on the website.

Stage 3 (excluding south of sunset)

Open to traffic with restoration work to occur in Spring of 2026. 

Stage 1,4 and 5. 

Substantially complete. 

Stages 2  (and south of sunset)

Work on Stage 2, including the area between Sunset Terrace and Colby Ave, will not begin until at the earliest April of 2026, after Des Moines Water Works completes some scheduled work on 70th St. in early spring.  Construction of this Stage is anticipated to take approximately 4 months. 

Additional Information

If you experience problems, have any questions, or concerns specific to your water, please contact the DMWW Project Manager, Carla Schumacher, at 515-323-6227 (office) or cschumacher@dmww.com.  

Parking is only permit on one side of the street; park only where permitted.  If you have improvements such as landscaping, retaining walls, shrubs, bushes, flowers, sheds, irrigation systems, etc. in the right-of-way, it is not the contractor’s responsibility to work around them. The property owner is responsible for securing these private improvements and moving them to allow the project to be constructed. Any underground improvements, such as irrigation lines and heads, dog fences, etc., should be located and marked so they are readily visible.

Place garbage, recycling, and yard waste out Sunday night at the end of driveway, as normal.  The Contractor will pick them up and place them at a coordinated site designated with the hauler.  They will then return the containers to your driveway once they are emptied.

It is very common on these types of projects that area residents (especially children) become quite curious about the work the Contractor is performing. We ask that you please be respectful of and stay well clear of construction zones. Many hazards and dangers exist from heavy machinery, trenches, loose material, confined spaces, hot asphalt, etc. and often are not recognizable by the general public. The Contractor has responsibility to ensure safety on the project and within the construction area. Any direction from the Contractor regarding safety must be heeded; likewise, if you observe an unsafe condition please report it to the construction inspector immediately.