September 17, 2007: The curve at this intersection will be obliterated, and eventually US 71 will run behind the camera.
Starting today, IA 196 as we knew it will never exist again. I think.
Construction starts today on a complete rebuild of 196 from US 71/IA 175 to old US 20. Pavement will be ripped up and all bridges will be replaced. This is a precursor to moving US 71 onto 196’s route. (All of the relevant pieces were part of the Jan. 21 lettings.) The current large curve in the southwest quadrant of 196’s south end will be removed (as much of the traffic will switch to running straight through).
IA 196 is being detoured until the day before Thanksgiving, so that indicates the scope of the project, and means lots of detour signs with a short shelf life. I wouldn’t expect a reroute of 71 before the rebuilt road opens, but it’s possible the reopening and reroute would happen at the same time.
The 511 website’s road report map is pretty sparse right now, but it’s going to light up over the next few weeks as projects begin.