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7 Major Infrastructure Wins: How Des Moines Public Works Is Transforming The City In 2025

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The Des Moines Public Works Department (DMPW) is the backbone of the city's infrastructure, and as of late 2025, the department has delivered a series of massive, long-term projects that are fundamentally reshaping the city's functionality and quality of life. From the finalization of the multi-year Fleur Drive overhaul to critical sewer separation efforts and the management of essential services like solid waste and street maintenance, the DMPW is operating with a comprehensive strategic vision, backed by a significant capital investment plan. This deep dive into the department’s current operations and recent successes, updated for late 2025, reveals a commitment to sustainable infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and enhanced public services, ensuring Des Moines remains a thriving and modern metropolitan area. Key initiatives like the annual MEGA SCRUB program and the $427 million street improvement plan highlight the scale of their ongoing work.

The Leadership and Organizational Structure of Des Moines Public Works

The Public Works Department is responsible for managing, planning, and constructing the vast network of public infrastructure that serves the citizens of Des Moines, Iowa. Their mission is centered on providing essential services that ensure a safe, attractive, and functional transportation system and community environment.

Public Works Director Biography: Jonathan Gano

  • Name: Jonathan Gano
  • Current Title: Director of Public Works, City of Des Moines
  • Tenure: Has held the position since early 2015.
  • Key Focus: Gano is instrumental in overseeing major Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), managing the department's budget, and coordinating the various divisions to meet the city's infrastructure goals.
  • Notable Quote (2025): He emphasized the importance of the department's work in eliminating sewage overflows and collaborating with the Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA).

Core Divisions and Key Entities

The department is organized into several key divisions, each responsible for a specific area of public service and infrastructure maintenance. These divisions work together to execute the department's mission, which includes the maintenance and repair of city streets, bridges, sidewalks, and sewers.

  • Street Maintenance Division: Responsible for preserving street surfaces, and providing repair and maintenance services, including the annual Slurry Seal Program.
  • Solid Waste Division: Manages all residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection, including large-scale cleanup events like the MEGA SCRUB.
  • Engineering Division: Oversees the planning and execution of all major Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), including street reconstruction, sewer separation, and traffic management.
  • Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA): While a separate entity, the DMPW works closely with the WRA on critical joint projects, such as the Ingersoll Run Sewer Separation Project.
  • Administrative Services: Provides financial oversight, including managing the Public Works portion of the Des Moines 2025-2026 Biennial Budget, which is funded by the General Fund.

Major 2025 Project Successes and Infrastructure Milestones

The year 2025 marked the completion of several high-profile projects and significant progress on multi-year infrastructure commitments, demonstrating the city's dedication to modernizing its core systems.

1. The Completion of the Fleur Drive Overhaul

In one of the most significant infrastructure milestones of the year, major construction improvements on Fleur Drive were completed in September 2025. This project, which spanned nearly six years, involved phased improvements, resurfacing, beautification, and rehabilitation of one of Des Moines’ most vital corridors. The successful completion ensures smoother traffic flow and a more aesthetically pleasing gateway to the city.

2. Final Sanitary Sewer Separation Connection

A major environmental and infrastructure victory occurred in May 2025 with the completion of the final sanitary sewer connection. This critical work successfully eliminated future sewage overflows, a long-term goal for the city's environmental health and public water systems. Public Works Director Jonathan Gano highlighted this as a key success in protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for residents.

3. Ingersoll Run Sewer Separation Project (Phase 2)

Building on the success of the final sewer connection, the construction on the final segment of the Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority’s (WRA) Ingersoll Run Sewer Separation Project is currently underway. This multi-phase project, managed by the Engineering Division, is essential for reducing the amount of untreated sewage that enters local waterways during heavy rain events, further enhancing the city’s water quality initiatives.

Ongoing Initiatives and Essential Public Services (LSI Keywords)

Beyond the massive construction projects, the DMPW maintains a rigorous schedule of routine maintenance and essential services that keep the city running day-to-day. These programs are often high-volume and directly impact all residents.

4. $427 Million Street Improvement Plan (2020-2027)

The department is continuing its aggressive street improvement plan, which proposes more than $427 million in street construction, repair, and rehabilitation between 2020 and 2027. This commitment averages an investment of $61 million per year into the city’s roadways, focusing on rebuilding roads from the ground up, including major routes and neighborhood streets in every corner of Des Moines.

5. 2025-2026 Slurry Seal Program

The Street Maintenance Division is actively executing the 2025-2026 Slurry Seal Program, a cost-effective preventative maintenance measure that extends the life of asphalt pavements. Specific streets targeted in this program include sections of 15th Street, Douglas Avenue, Madison Avenue, E. 16th Street, Des Moines Street, and Lyon Street. This routine but vital work prevents minor cracks from becoming major structural failures.

6. Southeast Connector/Martin Luther King Jr Parkway Extension

A key regional infrastructure project is the Southeast Connector/Martin Luther King Jr Parkway Extension. This joint project, involving the City of Des Moines, aims to connect the final segment of the corridor between SE 30th Street in Des Moines and U.S. Highway 65. The extension is designed to improve regional connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and support economic development in the area.

7. The Final MEGA SCRUB of 2025

The Solid Waste Division concluded its annual large-scale cleanup efforts with the final MEGA SCRUB of 2025 in September. This popular program provides residents with a crucial opportunity for hazardous waste drop-off and disposal of large, bulky items that are not accepted in regular weekly collections. The success of the MEGA SCRUB program underscores the department’s commitment to community cleanliness and responsible waste management.

Future Outlook and Public Engagement

The Des Moines Public Works Department continues to plan ahead, investing in infrastructure and the organization to deliver the services the public expects. The department is constantly evaluating risks associated with roads, water, and infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability. The Public Works team encourages residents to stay informed through the city’s official channels, especially regarding construction updates and service changes, such as the 2025 New Year's Holiday waste collection delay. The ongoing work, from major projects like the Ingersoll Run Sewer Separation to daily services like garbage and recycling, confirms the DMPW's critical role in the daily life and future prosperity of Des Moines.
7 Major Infrastructure Wins: How Des Moines Public Works is Transforming the City in 2025
des moines public works department
des moines public works department

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