Grimes is a city in Polk and Dallas counties of just under 15,400 (2020) and is part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines metropolitan areas. Recognizing a critical need to rejuvenate its older parts of town, City leaders embarked upon a multi-phased endeavor to do just that, with MSA as its project partner throughout all phases of the journey.

The City has adopted a two-phased approach to addressing upgrades, with the first year encompassing a water main project followed by street reconstruction within the same corridor during the second year.

The City and MSA conducted water service inspections prior to the water project, for both SE Jacob Street and SE Trail Ridge Road. The water main was previously planned to be a part of a larger project with SE Jacob Street but the City realized that it would have been too large of an undertaking in one year and split it into two separate projects. The in-home inspections determined the type, size and location of the water services prior to design. This helped the City with their upcoming lead service line data collection that was required by the EPA.

After completion of the water main project in phase one, the City was ready to tackle phase two: the reconstruction of SE Trail Ridge Road. The SE Trail Ridge Road Reconstruction Project reconstructed four blocks, approximately 2,440 LF, along SE Trail Ridge Road from SE Jacob Street to SE 3rd Street; SE 3rd Street from SE Trail Ridge Rd. to SE Little Beaver Drive; and SE Little Beaver Drive from SE 3rd Street to SE 2^nd Street. This has been a multi-year investment, starting in 2020, that will continue until these areas have been addressed.

The SE Trail Ridge Road Reconstruction Project reconstructed the aging roadway but also tackled issues of safety and stormwater improvements. This area, along with the rest of the older areas of the community, were built with little to no stormwater infrastructure. MSA evaluated the corridor to determine where additional stormwater intakes could be added and reviewed the impacts to the drainageways downstream. The project also reviewed potential improvements that could be implemented into the project. These included ADA pedestrian facilities at the intersections as well as intersection layouts. Both were evaluated for existing configurations and then for any potential enhancements with the proposed design.

The SE Trail Ridge Road Reconstruction Project, along with the completion of a few prior upgrade projects, has been critical in restoring community confidence and reminding residents that the City has not forgotten the older parts of town and is actively investing in improving its aging roads and infrastructure.