Category Archives: Construction

Feb 06

A History of Concrete Paving in Iowa

June 4, 2014: This concrete on old US 20 east of Cushing is from 1932. Old 20 west of Cushing to Sioux City was paved by 1924. If that headline has you clicking for more, you’ve come to the right … Continue reading

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Feb 03

Forevergreen Road exit and interchange rebuild ahead

These stories from KWWL and KCRG cover two separate things — the 80/380 cloverleaf and a potential exit at Forevergreen Road in North Liberty — but they have a common thread in location and timeline. Under the most recent five-year … Continue reading

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Jan 28

IA 415-NE 66th Avenue exit will be removed

One of Iowa’s oldest interchanges is on its way out. IA 415 in Polk County between Des Moines and Ankeny was upgraded to four lanes, with a grassy median, in two stages: Broadway to Northeast 54th Avenue in 1959, and … Continue reading

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Jan 12

Temporary signs in Sioux City this winter

June 4, 2014: Permanent signage at the north end of US 77 in Sioux City, after the removal of the volleyball interchange. At far right you can see a detour sign for Gordon Drive, which is off to the right … Continue reading

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Dec 15

$1B estimate to six-lane major rural interstates

Currently, the Iowa DOT is pouring tens of millions of dollars into upgrading urban interstate systems in Council Bluffs and Sioux City. I-80 in Iowa City has been upgraded to six lanes, and the complete rebuild of I-235 in Des … Continue reading

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Dec 09

Benton County US 30 meeting Wednesday

We might find out tomorrow night what the DOT plans to do at the intersection of US 30 and 218 in Benton County as part of its plans to upgrade 30 to four lanes heading westward. At the last meeting, … Continue reading

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Dec 01

Belated recap of the US 34 opening ceremony

Six weeks late is better than never, right? My recent relocation made traveling to a highway opening in western Iowa a little more involved. But with an early morning ceremony Oct. 22, I likely would’ve been staying overnight in Council … Continue reading

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Nov 21

I-35 rest areas nearing completion

This story from WHO says that new rest areas between Des Moines and Ames should be finished in the next couple of months. They will be between the US 30 and IA 210 exits, replacing ones taken out for the Ankeny interchange. … Continue reading

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Nov 06

Lane shift on I-80 in Council Bluffs Friday

The Council Bluffs interstate project continues its slow progress. Another piece happens tomorrow with a lane shift on I-29/80 west of the IA 192 exit. I saw the concrete nearly ready on my trip last month, and a sign assembly … Continue reading

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Oct 30

US 34 bridge (not that one) opening next week

I got caught by this construction in September: US 34 between IA 25 and former IA 49 has been closed to build a new bridge over the Platte River. The Creston News-Advertiser says the concrete still needs to be poured … Continue reading

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