There are signs of spring popping up around Iowa, including the familiar orange and block signs posted along roadways. The Iowa Department of Transportation is planning approximately $600-million worth of construction work this year.
DOT Traffic Safety Engineer Mark Bortle is advising motorists to slow down as they enter the work zones. He notes two of the bigger projects in western Iowa include the reconstruction of interstate corridors in both Sioux City and Council Bluffs.
In central Iowa, motorists can expect some slow moving traffic near West Des Moines. “We’re just starting a project on I-35, from the west mixmaster south, where we’re widening I-35 from a four-lane to a six lane roadway,” Bortle said.
“We have major work going on there.” The resurfacing of Interstate 380 around Cedar Rapids is among the larger projects planned in eastern Iowa.
“In the Waterloo area, on U.S. 20/I-380, we’re completing reconstruction of that section of roadway,” Bortle said. “We reconstructed the eastbound lanes last year. This year, we’ll be constructing the westbound lanes.”
Bortle is advising motorists to visit www.511ia.org for updates on construction projects and to find alternate routes to avoid possible traffic congestion and delays.