The DOT has released final plans for four-laning US 61 from the north end of the future Mediapolis bypass to just north of IA 78, including a new interchange with a slightly extended IA 78. Typically, there would be a scheduled meeting, but it’s been replaced with a 12-minute video instead. (NOTE: There’s a typo in the filenames; they say “US6” instead of “US61”.)
As the project statement affirms — or perhaps admits — this is the continuation of a process that got under way in the fall of 1996! The idea of four-laning all of 61 in Iowa goes back 30 years before that! It’s one of the projects killed in late 2001 when the DOT said it was expecting a $300 million funding shortfall. It’s also one of the projects currently on the schedule only because of the increase in the state gas tax a while back.
US 61 between Burlington and Grandview has four chunks, and based on last year’s five-year plan and some media coverage, here’s what I know or think:
- Burlington to south of Mediapolis: To be done by the end of this year. Parts of 61 are being left behind.
- Mediapolis bypass: Paving currently scheduled for 2024.
- North of Mediapolis to IA 78: This is the subject of this spring’s meeting. With grading scheduled for 2024, paving wouldn’t happen until 2026. Nearly all of present 61 will be left behind.
- IA 78 to IA 92, including Wapello bypass: This is the last link in four-lane 61 in southern Iowa and the most environmentally sensitive part, through the Iowa River valley. My estimate is that Thanksgiving 2028 is optimistic and Thanksgiving 2030 more realistic, which would be 16 years after a commitment was made to bypassing Wapello and not five-laning the current road. How traffic would then get between the four-lane and Wapello has been a tug-of-war. An agreement has probably been reached, but I think you’ll understand my hesitation on that point.