Preparation for an eventual upgrade of I-80 to six lanes east of Des Moines, which at the moment has no timetable, was first manifested in new bridges over the Cedar River. Now it’s time to replace bridges over the Skunk River, and the Iowa DOT is planning on doing the same thing.
Six-laning I-80 will require relocation of the main travel lanes. We’ve already seen this in action on I-35 in Warren County, north of and at IA 92. New lanes will be constructed alongside the old ones, but two lanes for right now. The new bridges will be three lanes wide.
The documentation (PDF) shows a four-year process at the Skunk River. A gravel-road bridge over I-80 will be removed.