An extension of Grand Avenue to South 16th street is a step closer to reality. City of Ames municipal engineer Tracy Warner says the federal highway administration has granted environmental clearance to proceed with the project, completing an extensive process that took several years and involved working with the Iowa Department of Transportation, as well as state historic and archaeological groups. Warner says the city council has passed along its design preferences for the extension, including a 400 to 450 foot bridge over Squaw Creek to handle flooding events like the one in 2010, as well as a shared-use path. The project will also include an extension of South 5th street and improvements at the intersection of South 16th and Duff Avenue.