Motorists, Be Aware – RAGBRAI Rolling Through West Des Moines Tuesday

RAGBRAI is coming through West Des Moines on Tuesday, July 23rd. It is important for all motorists to be aware of the RAGBRAI route, road closures and detours. If anyone lives, works, is doing business or is coming out to see the riders along the route, they will be able to get to their destination, however, they should expect delays and should use caution.

The RAGBRAI route is Raccoon River Drive to Grand Avenue to Railroad Avenue to 5th Street to Elm Street to 4th Street back to Railroad Avenue to 1st Street and south to Park Avenue to enter the City of Des Moines.

Route roads will remain open to traffic to the maximum extent possible as per RAGBRAI standard operating procedure for pass through towns, EXCEPT 5th street will be closed in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks. Maple Street and Elm Street will be closed alley to alley on either side of 5th Street and EXCEPT Railroad Avenue will be closed from 1st Street to 8th Street.

The I-35 northbound off ramp to east bound Grand Avenue will be closed during RAGBRAI.  Please detour to the Mills Civic Parkway exit.

Grand Avenue (eastbound only) east of Raccoon River Dr. to S. 50th St. will be open to local traffic only.

First Street (Highway 28/63rd Street) will remain open in both directions; however, because Railroad Avenue will be closed in this location no turns off of 1st Street onto Railroad Avenue will be permitted.  Southbound traffic on 1st Street will transition to the inside northbound lane at Railroad Avenue and will remain in that lane until Thornton Avenue.  Northbound traffic on 1st Street will use the outside lane.  RAGBRAI riders will use both southbound lanes on 1st Street until they reach Park Avenue where police officers will assist crossing into Des Moines.