Expansion of I-80 to six lanes from the present end of that section in Iowa City to just east of the West Branch exit is on the DOT’s five-year plan. Based on a construction letting, I think it’s being broken into two parts.<\/p>\n
This contract covers the segment from just west of the Herbert Hoover Highway exit to half a mile east of the Wapsi Avenue bridge over the interstate. The present eastbound lanes will become the median area. Some of the HHH ramps were closed<\/a> last year for preparation<\/a>.<\/p>\n The staged plans specifically include a winter status, which indicates this project will go into 2023. This is the “grade and pave” and “bridge replacement” for fiscal year 2022. The construction this calendar year will be grading for the new lanes without moving I-80 traffic.<\/p>\n There are additional sections of the project programmed into FY 2026, and the final plans in 2017<\/a> noted Lower West Branch Road’s bridge over I-80 will be closed “about two years”.<\/p>\n When completed, this short segment will be the first rural six-lane Iowa interstate where one can legally drive 70 mph. (I said legally<\/em>.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Expansion of I-80 to six lanes from the present end of that section in Iowa City to just east of the West Branch exit is on the DOT’s five-year plan. Based on a construction letting, I think it’s being broken … Continue reading