Building Resilience and Connection

The Shaver Road Reconstruction project is a key component of the City of Cedar Rapids’ Flood Control System (FCS), designed to improve public safety, promote economic continuity and create community amenities.

HDR, a consultant for the City’s FCS initiative, was also contracted to design the comprehensive and certified flood risk reduction system in close coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The project’s goal was to raise the existing bridge approximately 10 feet to pass over the FCS, eliminating the need for a closure structure, enhancing safety and reducing flood response time. By removing the closure structures, the City lowered both cost and risk, and now benefits from faster flood response and a dedicated truck route that allows local businesses to operate even during high water events.

By blending the FCS elements with the natural environment — rather than isolating the area with barriers — the project enhances the visual landscape and fosters a stronger connection to nature, ultimately contributing to a higher quality of life for residents.

The added amenities comprise increased trail connectivity, including a separating grade crossing, ADA-compliant amenities for fishing and pedestrian activities, trailhead parking areas, replacement of concrete channels with natural vegetative channels, safer grade-separated trail crossings and safer trail alignments.

The result is a comprehensive civic asset that includes a levee, floodwall, new roadway and bridge, pedestrian and trail bridge, redesigned channel, full utility system with USACE-compliant penetrations, gate well and outfall structures, ADA-accessible trails and sidewalks, parking lots and temporary stream crossings. The project not only met technical and regulatory goals but also created a space embraced by the community and stakeholders alike.