Construction of state’s largest intersection leads off big year in Arrowhead area

Construction of what will become the state’s largest intersection got off to a promising start: The bid for it came in under budget.

Winning contractor T&R Contracting bid just over $39 million for the work reconstructing the intersection of Arrowhead and Veterans parkways, which is more than $1 million less than the city’s estimate.

The two-year project includes expansion of the intersection to nine total lanes on one road and 10 on the other, plus three pedestrian underpasses and significant sanitary sewer and water main projects.

“It really thoughtfully kicks off our 2025 season,” said Mark Cotter, the city’s director of public works. “We have a strong local contractor, and it’s an improvement east-side commuters, visitors and businesses have been wanting for some time.”

In 2023, Arrowhead Parkway and Six Mile Road were realigned, and Arrowhead was reconstructed from 10th Street to nearly 26th Street. Work over the next two years will reconstruct the intersection of Arrowhead and Veterans parkways as well as Arrowhead from 26th Street east to the Big Sioux River.

“Not only is the intersection high capacity, we also are incorporating three pedestrian tunnels, so as a pedestrian, you don’t have to cross all those lanes of traffic,” Cotter said. “Those will be nice, wide tunnels and well lit.”

Part of the project is being funded by a $13.4 million federal Rural Surface Transportation Grant.

The city is seeing “a substantial amount of traffic” on Arrowhead Parkway and is anticipating more as Veterans Parkway connects farther to the south and west.

“For the northeast transportation network, this is a significant piece in adding capacity, reducing driver delay and really building it for pedestrians too,” Cotter said.

“This will be two years of construction, but once it’s done, the drivers that use this area every day will appreciate it.”

The project also sets the stage for additional development in the area, building on what has occurred in the area with the Willows and Arbors Edge neighborhoods as well as Dawley Farm Village.

The city currently is building Sixth Street on the west side of Veterans Parkway with developers, and the combination of road projects will support additional commercial development, Cotter said.

“Some of those key components to develop the land north of Menards have been important for some time,” he said. “Now that developers and brokers can see we’ve bid it, it answers just another question mark on what this is going to look like. I think the table has been set, and we’ll see that commercial area get filled in, and then the layered land uses that come after it.”

The Arrowhead area also will benefit from improvements underway at Arrowhead Park. Trail upgrades were done last season, and work is wrapping up on the Arrowhead House, which used to be a private home and is being renovated into a space for programs and events.

“Significant progress is being made on the Arrowhead House renovations,” said Tyler Laundry, parks development specialist.

The 2,400-square-foot building will be available for parks programs and private rentals later this year.

“With a full kitchen and a unique deck overlooking the quarry, it will be a wonderful space for gatherings,” Laundry said.