(1982-2003)
The termini in the photos below correspond to the ends as of January 1, 2003 unless noted, a date that contained the greatest extent of this route. Bypassed segments of US 218 were tacked on as they were turned over. The route was continuous until two pieces were added in 1997. Because the route is related to 218, IA 27 is omitted from listings below.
NORTH End [NORTH segment] (1983-July 1, 2003): Stop sign, IA 921/Old US 218, Johnson County
Facing north on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
The E911 name for 923 is Oak Crest Hill Road (such a suburban name, and nauseatingly so, if you ask me).
Facing south on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
Facing west-ish
Photo by Jason Hancock
The end of IA 921 can be seen from 923. Between 1983 and 1985 US 218 was the cross road because the freeway did not continue north of the interchange.
Facing southwest, but heading south, on 921
Photo by Jason Hancock
As with IA 956, the only signs ever created for the route were made during construction. Kyle Johnson said that in the second half of summer 2003, the sign read "Detour Former 923" - as if anyone called the road that anyway.
NORTH End (1982-84): Stop sign, F62, Hills, Johnson County
The first four-lane segment of 218 was five miles in the middle of the present segment, from Hills to Riverside.
SOUTH End (1982-85 and February 18-July 1, 2003): Stop sign, IA 22, Washington County
Facing south on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
Between 1982 and 1985, US 218 came in from the left after construction of some four-lane north of IA 22, then resumed its old route heading south (straight ahead). Twenty years later, Washington County accepted nearly all of its part of 923 in a separate agreement in February 2003.
Facing south on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
Surprisingly, up until 1985, there was a one-lane bridge(s?) on 218 in Washington County.
Facing east on 22
Photo by Jason Hancock
Washington County duly signed all its newly acquired segments of old 218 as W64; in July 2003 this became a double arrow.
SOUTH End [NORTH segment] (1991-February 18, 2003): Stop sign, G36, Washington County
Facing south on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
The state segment stopped here in 2003 because Washington County took about 1 3/4 miles of the old route to the south in 1991, yet let the rest languish until almost the end.
Facing east on G36
Photo by Jason Hancock
The road to the right will run into 218/27 northeast of Ainsworth.
Facing north on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
SOUTH End [NORTH segment] (1985-1991): Stop sign, US 218, Washington County
Prior to the mid-1990s, south of this point 218 continued as a two-lane road. This intersection is 1 3/4 miles south of the above pictures.
NORTH End [MIDDLE segment]: Stop sign, US 218, Washington County
The old road, which previously only shifted a quarter of a mile to the east near Ainsworth, was re-engineered after the expressway cut through. This segment curves northeast to end at an intersection with an east-west gravel road. Both this segment and the one through Crawfordsville were added to 923's mileage in 1997, although they are discontinuous.
Surrounding area information: Junction IA 92/IA 936
A bridge over the railroad tracks east of Ainsworth was removed, effectively breaking the middle segment of 923 in half. In addition, IA 92 was realigned to meet the expressway southeast of its original intersection. Part of old 92 was designated IA 936, and the section east of old 218 paralleling the railroad was removed. Arrows and numbers correspond to the next five pictures.
(2002 aerial photo: USDA/NRCS/MIT via ortho.gis.iastate.edu)
1) Facing north on 923 (old 218)
Photo by Jason Hancock
One direction of this formerly important intersection has been closed off. Another serves the north side of a parking lot.
2) Facing southwest on 936 (old 92)
Photo by Jason Hancock
This road goes southwest to meet 92 in the distance (you can make out the yellow of the "Stop Ahead").
3) Facing northeast on 936 (old 92)
Photo by Jason Hancock
This truck stop has moved from being in the southeast corner of the intersection to the northwest corner of the interchange.
4) Facing east on 92
Photo by Jason Hancock
Since the road to the north dead-ends, the signage of W64 only points south.
5) Facing north on 923 (old 218)
Photo by Jason Hancock
SOUTH End [MIDDLE segment]: Stop sign, US 218, Washington County
Facing south on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
The mile or so of road between here and IA 92 is unimportant enough to not get a new concrete connection. Note that the southbound lanes in the distance are on the same alignment as this piece.
Facing north on 218
Photo by Jason Hancock
However, the county road designation does show up on the four-lane.
Facing north on 218
Photo by Jason Hancock
New 218 is "Hwy 218" but old 218 is Vine Avenue.
NORTH End [SOUTH segment]: Stop sign, US 218, Washington County
Facing north on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
Facing south on 218
Photo by Jason Hancock
SOUTH End [SOUTH segment]: Dead end south of G62, Washington County
Facing south on 923
Photo by Jason Hancock
This segment of road only serves a farm now. Keep an eye on that bin.
Facing south on 218
Photo by Jason Hancock
For some reason, G62 is not signed going east (left). Jason writes, "Heading south on 218/27, the "JCT W64" assembly doesn't lead to Vine Avenue this time..."
Facing south
Photo by Jason Hancock
"...but rather 325th Street, which connects 923 with 218/27." In the background is that bin again.
Facing west from new 218 to old 218
Photo by Jason Hancock
Usually there isn't a double arrow when one direction goes to a dead end.
Facing southwest
Photo by Jason Hancock
All pictures by Jason Hancock: 5/18/03
Page created 3/15/04