The Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization voted Tuesday to approve the contract for the first phase of the Scott Avenue portion of the ICON Water Trails project along the downtown Des Moines riverfront.

The MPO board voted 16-3 to award a contract to United Contractors and Reilly Construction for $40.9 million. Board members Len Murray of Pleasant Hill, Tom Hockensmith of Des Moines and Mark Hanson of Dallas County all voted no.

The first phase includes the in-water elements of the project, including the mitigation of the low-head dam and introduction of whitewater features. Work on that phase is expected to begin in spring 2023.

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