Ames Council Approves Duff Avenue Lane Reductions

The city will restripe a section of Duff Avenue to improve road safety after a recent study of collision data.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of a three-lane city street section, showing simple road geometry and lane dividers. — The Ames City Council approved a plan to restripe a section of Duff Avenue, shifting to a three-lane layout to reduce collisions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support reducing four-lane roads to three lanes in your community to improve traffic safety?

The Ames City Council recently directed city staff to restripe Duff Avenue to three lanes between 13th and 16th Street. This initial phase is part of a broader, multi-year plan to modify the corridor and reduce high crash rates.

Why it matters

The project aims to improve public safety and moderate vehicle speeds along a high-traffic route. City leaders hope the traffic calming measures will significantly decrease the number of rear-end and sideswipe collisions.

The roadway conversion will eventually span from the Union Pacific Railroad to 16th Street, with an estimated total project cost of $9.9 million. Restriping the immediate 13th to 16th Street section carries a cost of $75,000.

The players

Ames City Council

This is the governing body responsible for legislative decisions, budget approvals, and municipal infrastructure planning for the City of Ames.

The details

The project converts the current four-lane layout into one lane in each direction with a center two-way left turn lane. Additionally, the intersection of Duff Avenue and 16th Street has been converted to two-way stop control to manage traffic flow.

Ninety-six crashes occurred along the corridor between 2021 and 2025.
The Ames City Council directed the restriping project on October 27, 2026.
Full corridor reduction to three lanes is planned over the next 10 to 15 years.
Travel time is projected to increase slightly by 2050 due to the modifications.

Political Context

The Duff Avenue project reflects a shift toward Complete Streets transportation planning by prioritizing safety over maximum vehicle capacity. Opponents often argue that such reductions lead to increased congestion, though the city projects minimal travel time delays.

Drivers using Duff Avenue can expect new lane configurations and a two-way stop at the 16th Street intersection. While travel times are projected to increase by about five seconds by 2050, the changes are intended to make the corridor safer for all users.

The takeaway

The move to reduce lanes is part of a data-driven strategy to curb high collision frequencies in the corridor. Residents should anticipate ongoing construction as the city completes the remaining phases of the project over the next 15 years.