SOUTH
and 
NORTH
at 
(1935/69-2002)
SOUTH End of 330/NORTH End of 117: Non-perpendicular intersection, US 65, Jasper County
Four intersections in Iowa are more than your normal end. These four include termini for not one, but two state highways. This intersection may be the most known; many confuse 330 and 65 as one road going all the way between Des Moines and Marshalltown. This diagonal does much to contribute to the idea of Des Moines being a "hub" of highways, but diagonals always seem to be met with resistance, especially farmers left with triangular pieces of land.
When I visited this intersection in December 2001, construction was progressing on remaking the intersection for the four-lane expressway, including work a mile north at F17 (old IA 223) meriting a detour. Up the road north of here, substantial chunks of hillside have been stripped and valleys built up for this project.
This intersection was first constructed in 1934-35, but the present numbers were not set until 1969, when IA 330 took over a free-standing portion of cross-state IA 64.
Ironically/Strangely enough, I got pictures from every angle except one of the two I pass by the most - the end of 330! Time was running short, and we were going north to get 210's east end. Until I return, this old picture from Jason Hancock must suffice. Clockwise from about 1:30-2 o'clock (yes, 2; it's diagonal, after all):
End 330
Facing southwest, but heading south, on 330
Photos by Jason Hancock
To be technically correct, the 65 arrow should be ahead and down to the right. Arrows like that do exist; one is on E41 westbound at the 330/S75 intersection. Why the "To" sign is construction orange, none of us know. (In addition, it would serve the public more if it sent travelers for 80 east on 117.)
End 117
Facing north on 117
Unlike the solid junction signs on 65 north and 330, this one does not have black squares behind the shields.
Facing north on 117
LGS in above picture
Final signage on 117
In this direction, the 65 arrow should be ahead and down to the left.
Facing south on 117
Right photo by Jason Hancock
Now that you're on 117, there is a sign for "To East 80".
65 North
Facing northeast, but heading north, on 65
Signage at bottom left of above picture
LGS behind orange sign in above picture
Final signage before intersection
Here, the "To I-80" is a separate one-piece sign. The final signage on 117 is visible at right.
Facing northeast
This picture was taken in front of the white van in the above picture; behind it is what will be the north part of the new intersection.
65 South
Facing south on 65
In addition to this not being a nice special green sign like the other three directions, the "Jct Detour F17" sign appears to be beating up the 330 sign (or is it the other way around?).
Facing south-southeast
Plenty of dirt has been removed here for what will become the new road; from the car south it will be removed.
Facing south on 65
Photo by Jason Hancock
The signage is totally correct in this direction, and I think it's just plain interesting. It's not often you see a regular arrow pointing down to the ground, but it's correct since 330 goes northeast from this point while you are currently heading south. The "Road Closed" is on the grading for the two lanes being constructed on the diagonal. The last signs on 65 north appear under the 117 arrow in Jason's picture.
To the IA 330 North ends / To the IA 117 South ends
Pictures by me: All except top two, eighth, and bottom, 12/21/01
Page created 5/27/02; last updated 1/10/03