Ashworth Road from 1st Street to 50th Street requires reconstruction over the next several years due to deteriorating pavement conditions. To improve safety, maintain consistency, minimize right of way acquisition and meet current design standards, the City studied various options for number of lanes, lane width, sidewalks and shared-use paths.

The current general design that the West Des Moines City Council has approved for Ashworth Road from 1st Street to 50th Street is the following:

•  Three lane design with one through lane in each direction with a continuous two-way left turn lane and right turn lanes at major intersections
• No shared use path will be constructed with the Ashworth reconstruction projects

This design will bring the roadway into compliance with current safety and design standards, and it will minimize, as much as possible, the impact of construction for people living along Ashworth Road. The overall width of the 3-lane roadway is anticipated to be 37 feet, which is approximately equal to the width of the existing 4-lane roadway with narrower lanes. The first phase of Ashworth Road widening will include the roadway between 19th and 23rd Streets. Other phases will be completed as the pavement conditions warrant.

The following is a timeline of how the discussion progressed over the years with presentations, meeting recordings and other useful information:

October 7, 2020

The Ashworth Road Corridor Study - 1st Street to 50th Street was completed by HR Green for the City of West Des Moines. This study concluded that a 3-lane cross section would be adequate for nearly the entire corridor with the exception of 19th to 23rd Street, where additional turning lanes would be required. The study also recommended the addition of a 10-foot shared use path on the north side along the corridor.

Ashworth Road - HR Green Study

May 3, 2022

A public meeting was held at City Hall to discuss the proposed design of Ashworth Road from 1st Street to 50th Street. The 3-lane cross section with a 10-foot shared-use path was the recommended design presented at the meeting. The presentation explained the necessity of reconstruction and a consistent cross section across the entire corridor. How the proposed design will improve safety and minimize right of way acquisition was also discussed. 

Ashworth Road, 1st to 50th Street - Power Point Presentation

Ashworth Road, 1st to 50th Street - Project Frequently Asked Questions

Ashworth Road, 1st to 50th Street - Public Meeting Exhibits

Ashworth Road, 1st to 50th Street - Construction Frequently Asked Questions 

Ashworth Road, 1st to 50th Street - Public Meeting Recording

October 11, 2022

A public meeting with the residents along Ashworth from 19th to 23rd Street focused on how the design recommended in the May 3rd meeting would affect each resident. Maps were presented showing where right of way would be required. What to expect during right of way acquisition and construction was also discussed. Input was gathered at this meeting from the residents.

Ashworth Road, 19th to 23rd Street - Power Point Presentation

Ashworth Road, 19th to 23rd Street - Public Meeting Exhibits

Ashworth Road, 19th to 23rd Street - Project Frequently Asked Questions

Ashworth Road, 19th to 23rd Street - Public Meeting Recording

 November 7, 2022

A workshop was conducted after the City Council meeting. City Staff presented and many residents provided comments. A majority of the discussion and comments were centered around the shared-use path and the right of way requirements. The City Council was not in favor of the shared-use path and requested that staff no longer consider it in the design. At the conclusion of the meeting, City Staff was directed to look at additional scenarios including 4 and 3 lane options. City Council was concerned with the amount of right of way needed in the proposed scenarios.

Ashworth Road, City Council Workshop - Power Point Presentation 11/7/22

Ashworth Road, City Council Workshop - Public Meeting Recording 11/7/22

January 3, 2023

Another workshop was conducted after the City Council meeting. City Staff presented their findings on the additional scenarios including 3 and 4 lane options. Property owners commented and shared their concerns. The main concerns were how to pass stopped vehicles on a 3-lane road, difficulty pulling out of driveways on a three-lane road and right of way acquisition needed to build either a 3 or 4 lane option. City Council was undecided on how to move forward, with 2 Council Members in favor of a 3-lane cross-section, 2 Council Members in favor of a 4-lane cross-sec

 Ashworth Road, City Council Workshop - Power Point Presentation 1/3/23

Ashworth Road, City Council Workshop - Public Meeting Recording 1/3/23

February 20, 2023

Item 7(b) on the City Council agenda was considered at this meeting. It was determined that Ashworth Road from 1st Street to 19th Street would be restriped as a pilot project to test the 3-lane roadway cross section. The pilot project would include a before and after analysis in regard to the 3-lane corss section. It was recommended by the City Council that the restriped section be monitored for a period of at least 9 months, at which time the City Council would be presented with a recommendation for design criteria for consideration.

City Council Staff Report

City Council Meeting Minutes

 September 10, 2024

A public meeting was held to inform the residents of the results of the before and after study of the 3-lane restriping project on Ashworth from 1st Street to 19th Street. Property owners along Ashworth from 1st Street to 50th Street were notified of the meeting by mail. The study determined that the 3-lane cross section was performing well on Ashworth Road, with lower crashes than average, improved traffic flow, and mostly positive feedback from the public. Input was provided from the residents at this meeting. City Staff informed the residents that the next step was to have the City Council vote on the design criteria at an upcoming City Council meeting.

Ashworth Road, 1st to 19th Street - Power Point Presentation

Ashworth Road, 1st to 19th Street - Memo

Ashworth Road, 1st to 19th Street - Public Meeting Recording

October 21, 2024

Item 5(e) on the City Council agenda was considered at this meeting. Property owners along Ashworth from 1st Street to 50th Street were notified of the meeting by mail. The results of the before and after study of the 1st to 19th Street restriping was presented to the City Council. Residents were also there to provide input. After much discussion, the design criteria of generally a 3-lane cross section was voted on and approved 3-1 with one of the City Council Members being absent.

City Council Staff Report

City Council Meeting Minutes

December 5, 2024

A meeting is currently scheduled for the affected residents along the Ashworth Reconstruction project from 19th Street to 23rd Street for 5:30pm at the West Des Moines City Hall Council Chambers on this date. Design alternatives will be presented and City Staff will seek input from residents. Attendance from all residents in this area is encouraged because right of way requirements of the proposed alternatives will be different than what has been presented in the past. If no right of way acquisition from your property was shown in the past that will not make your property immune from right of way acquisition in the new alternatives.