Davenport to Build Division Street Trail Underpass
A new project will soon provide safer passage for trail users by separating pedestrians from vehicle traffic.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Hiking
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Davenport is designing a new trail underpass at Division Street to improve safety for Duck Creek trail users. This initiative aims to eliminate dangerous at-grade crossings across the heavily utilized arterial roadway.
Why it matters
The project seeks to enhance safety for trail users by physically separating foot and bike traffic from vehicle congestion. Officials prioritize underpasses over overpasses due to their lower construction costs and higher usage rates among the public.
City planning documents highlight a shift toward underpass designs across the Duck Creek trail system to reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflict. While construction cost comparisons favor underpasses, the total final budget remains under development pending grant approval.
The players
Davenport City Council
The local governing body responsible for approving project plans, construction contracts, and grant agreements for infrastructure.
Iowa Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for overseeing transportation infrastructure and providing grant funding for local roadway and trail projects.
The details
The city of Davenport is moving to eliminate at-grade crossings where trails intersect with busy roads like Division Street. By routing trail users beneath the roadway, the city creates a safer environment that encourages higher utilization of the network. This approach has already been successfully implemented at 53rd Street for the Goose Creek Trail, serving as a model for future infrastructure investments.
Timeline
• The Eastern Avenue Bridge replacement project is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026.
• The design phase for the Division Street underpass is slated for completion in late winter or early spring 2027.
• Construction on the Division Street underpass is planned to begin in summer or early fall 2027.
Health Landscape
The city's move to prioritize underpasses follows the precedent set by the 53rd Street Goose Creek Trail project. This ongoing strategy reflects a broader trend of designing urban outdoor spaces to encourage active transit by removing physical safety barriers.
Residents should anticipate temporary construction activity near Division Street and the Eastern Avenue Bridge. Safer, continuous trail access will likely encourage more consistent daily exercise by removing the hazards associated with crossing high-traffic roadways.
The takeaway
Replacing at-grade crossings with underpasses improves trail safety and promotes regular physical activity. Residents can monitor upcoming city council agendas for public comment opportunities on the final project designs.
Further reading
For more on local trail development and infrastructure, see Hiking.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Local 4 News WHBF TV.
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Should your city prioritize building separated crossings for bike trails over at-grade intersections?
