The latest stretch of four-lane Highway 20 in northwest Iowa is expected to open this fall, likely in November. Shirley Phillips, president of the Highway 20 Corridor Association, says it’s taken more than two decades to get the east-west thoroughfare to this stage.
“We’re extremely pleased that this project is actually a year ahead of schedule because of the good weather and the bids that came in from the contractors,” Phillips says. “The advancement of four-lane Highway 20 has actually almost doubled in size.” Phillips said the latest 26-mile stretch of road should be open in time for Thanksgiving travelers.
“We’re looking at around Thanksgiving,” she says. “We don’t have an exact target date. The paving is actually completed but they do have to do shoulder work, painting and the signing has to go up before we can open the highway.” Phillips details how many miles will be needed to finish the four-lane project.
“We have about 32 miles between Moville and Highway 71 that needs to be completed,” she says. “They will be working on a stretch between Moville and Correctionville. That’s the next segment to be done, then there will be a segment at Correctionville that will be five lanes through the heart of Correctionville.”
Phillips said the goal is to have the entire four-lane project finished within five years. Phillips has been involved with the Highway 20 project for the past 24 years.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City