As the 3rd Street project nears completion, we have everything you need to know

After more than 20 years of public discussion, planning, and advocacy, phase one of the two-way conversion (from Marquette to River Drive) is nearing completion on 3rd Street.

This project is about creating a downtown that simply works better that’s easier to navigate, safer for pedestrians and more accessible for the businesses, visitors and residents who make downtown a true neighborhood. This progress strengthens the heart of downtown while creating a natural path for development to expand westward, unlocking new opportunities for reinvestment and street-level activation.

You’ll soon notice new striping, signage, crosswalks, and intersection updates designed to improve visibility and make traveling through downtown feel more natural and connected. Bus routes and parking will remain the same and we’ve worked closely with downtown businesses to ensure deliveries stay convenient through strategic loading zone placement.

And while this is a big milestone, it’s only halfway there. 4th Street will undergo its own much-needed resurfacing and two-way conversion in 2026, with additional intersection improvements at River Drive and 3rd/4th Streets planned in the coming years.

Every improvement like this builds a stronger, more accessible city for everyone who lives, works and invests here. This is what progress looks like when years of collaboration, strategic planning and vision come together to make our community stronger and more connected than ever.

For project details, keep reading below... 

What's changing:  

• 3rd Street will soon operate as a two-way street between Marquette and River Drive, improving safety, visibility and access throughout the downtown core
• Several intersections have been updated to align with national safety standards and traffic patterns. Signals at 3rd and Western, Scott, Ripley, Pershing and Iowa are being replaced with stop controls to improve visibility and reduce unnecessary stops
• Traffic signal timing will be refined based on real travel data after the conversion. Drivers may notice minor adjustments in the first few weeks as the City fine-tunes timing for the best possible flow
• Key crosswalks will be refreshed along the corridor to enhance visibility and pedestrian safety

Parking, Buses & Deliveries 

• To support two-way travel, some loading zones and parking spaces have been reconfigured. See updated loading zone map here. Downtown continues to offer ample, convenient parking, both on-street and in nearby ramps
• City staff collaborated closely with the Downtown Davenport Partnership and local businesses to maintain parking capacity while improving delivery access
• With more than 4,000 parking spaces across ramps, lots and on-street options, downtown remains easy to access for employees, customers and eventgoers
• Bus routes and stops remain unchanged, and the new two-way design fully accommodates public transit

Getting around: 

• Staying or visiting downtown? Follow the new two-way signage and pay close attention to updated directional patterns as lanes reopen
• Making deliveries or accessing a business? Refer to the loading zone map for delivery routes and short-term stops
• Passing through downtown? Use River Drive as the preferred through-route to reduce congestion during the transition

Looking Ahead:

After 3rd Street’s conversion, 4th Street will undergo resurfacing and a two-way conversion slated for completion in Fall 2026. Intersection rebuilds at River Drive and 3rd/4th Streets are currently in the planning phase as well. 

Stay up to date on project details and conversion timing: https://www.davenportiowa.com/cms/one.aspx?portalId=6481456&pageId=20826649  

We’ll continue to share updates as details are finalized. Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work together to create a safer, more connected and more vibrant downtown Davenport.