The City of Ames is conducting a study of the Duff Avenue corridor from the Union Pacific Railroad crossing (near Main Street) to 16th Street. Primary goals include:

 

• Evaluate existing traffic operations, safety, walkability, and connectivity along Duff Avenue. 
   

• Assess the impacts of train crossings at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing just south of Main Street, including vehicle delay, queueing, and recovery time. 
   

• Forecast future traffic volumes and corridor operations.
   

• Gather input from residents, businesses, and corridor users about concerns, issues, and priorities. 
   

• Identify potential improvements that enhance safety, mobility, and overall corridor function.

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Using feedback from the first survey, along with technical analysis and stakeholder discussions, the City of Ames has developed a preferred design alternative that reflects these findings.

Duff Avenue is currently a four‑lane undivided roadway, and traffic modeling shows that most of the corridor can continue to operate effectively with a three‑lane configuration—one lane in each direction and a center two‑way left‑turn lane—both today and through 2050. This type of design has been shown to improve safety by reducing conflict points, calming traffic, and making it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross the street. It also allows more space to add wider sidewalks and shared-use paths.

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The recommended improvements for the corridor are organized into four sections and are shown by clicking the links below.

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​Duff Avenue from Union Pacific Railroad to 6th Street

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Duff Avenue from 6th Street to 10th Street

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Duff Avenue from 10th Street to 13th Street

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Duff Avenue from 13th Street to 16th Street