Iowa DOT - Council Bluffs Interstate

2022 Annual Report

Construction on I‑29/I‑480/Interchange bridges was in-progress in 2022

Program Goals

In early spring 2022, I-29 southbound was closed at 9th Avenue, and traffic was detoured through the intersection.

In early spring 2022, I‑29 southbound was closed at 9th Avenue, and traffic was detoured through the intersection.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is in the process of reconstructing I‑80, I‑29 and I‑480 in the Council Bluffs / Omaha metropolitan area. This comprehensive interstate redesign, known as the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program, will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety in the area. We are committed to completing interstate improvements with minimal public inconvenience and keeping the traveling public informed of changes that impact travel.

  • Modernize and improve 14 miles of interstate
  • Accommodate planned developments along transportation corridors
  • Reduce traffic congestion
  • Improve the visual landscape

Progress

  • 34 of 47
    Bridges
  • 9 of 12
    Interchanges
  • 10.5 of 14
    Centerline Miles*
  • 123 of 146
    Highway Lane Miles**

*Centerline miles represent the total length of a given road from its starting point to its end point. The number and size of the lanes on that road are ignored when calculating its centerline mileage.
**Lane miles measure the total length and lane count of a given highway or road. Lane miles are calculated by multiplying the centerline mileage of a road by the number of lanes it has. Lane mileage provides a total amount of mileage covered by lanes belonging to a specific road.

Project Highlights

I-29/Nebraska Avenue Interchange Reconstruction Project
75% Complete and ahead of schedule

The I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway Project is ahead of schedule and was approximately 75% complete at the end of 2022.

I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway System Interchange

The I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway System Interchange Project has been under construction since spring 2021. Local road construction, demolition and bridge construction were the primary focus activities in 2022. West Broadway was realigned and opened in late spring 2022. A new road at 40th Street was opened in summer 2022. Dodge Riverside Drive was also reconstructed and opened fall 2022. The Southbound Frontage road was completed and I‑29 southbound traffic diverted to the frontage road in late 2022.

This project is anticipated to be complete in mid-2024. The reconstructed interchange will provide efficient and safe vehicle movement on I‑480 and I‑29, including reduced motorist lane changes. In addition to addressing traffic capacity needs, improving safety and correcting functional design issues, the reconstructed interchange will provide direct access to West Broadway from I‑29 via one-way frontage roads.

Iowa DOT recognizes that residents and commuters have been inconvenienced by the reconstruction efforts, especially in the neighborhoods that surround the I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway System Interchange, and thanks the Council Bluffs community for their patience during this challenging part of the project.

Madison Avenue Interchange

Work on the I‑80 eastbound lanes and ramp at Madison Avenue began in fall 2022.

Madison Avenue Interchange

The Madison Avenue Interchange Reconstruction Project, the final piece of the larger interstate reconstruction program, began in September 2022. This project will rebuild the interchange and bridges over Mosquito Creek to meet current design standards and traffic capacity needs.

The new, reconstructed interchange will resemble the existing one, in a tight urban diamond formation. Four lanes will be constructed on Madison Avenue for through traffic and additional turn lanes will improve traffic capacity and safety. A new bike/pedestrian path along Madison Avenue will also be constructed as part of the project. The pedestrian/bike trail on Valley View Drive will be temporarily relocated during construction while a new, permanent one is rebuilt. Other benefits include longer acceleration lanes for vehicles merging onto I‑80, allowing drivers to turn right from Madison Avenue onto the I‑80 westbound ramp without stopping.

With COVID-19 impacting state funds, the Madison Avenue Interchange reconstruction was originally delayed to 2026. However, the 2021 Congressional Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allowed Iowa DOT to fund the project in late 2022 and begin construction.

The project is anticipated to be complete in summer 2024. The next project phase to address the westbound bridge and ramps will begin in spring/summer 2024.

2022 Project Activity

Construction projects are prioritized based on potential traffic management benefits, improved safety, and increased capacity to move more vehicles through the urban area of the interstate system. The Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program has identified projects that are necessary to satisfy the overall mission of the program.

Click, tap or roll-over the circles to learn more about each project.

Map of Project Area
1 Completed Project in 2022
2 Construction Projects in 2022
1 Design Projects in 2022

I‑29/Nebraska Avenue Interchange

2022 Highlights: I‑29 southbound bridge construction was completed in 2022, and the interchange was opened to drivers in June 2022. Construction crews completed demolition of old bridges and all construction activities were complete in fall 2022.

A small roadway overlay project on Nebraska Avenue was also completed in fall 2022. This marks a significant milestone in the Program because all work in Segment 2 is now complete.

  • Cost: $46M
  • Spent to Date: $45M
  • Duration: 23 months
  • Schedule: 09/2020 - 08/2022

I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway Interchange

2022 Highlights: West Broadway, 40th Street and Dodge Riverside Drive were reconstructed in 2022 and the new I‑29 Southbound Frontage Road was completed. New ramps to I‑29 from I‑480 eastbound were opened. I‑29 southbound was closed in late 2022 and traffic was diverted to the frontage road. Bridge construction continued throughout 2022.

Looking Ahead: Bridge construction and demolition will continue through 2023. By the end of 2023, construction crews plan to reopen both northbound and southbound I‑29 to traffic.

  • Cost: $180M
  • Spent to Date: $134M
  • Duration: 38 months
  • Time Spent to Date: 20 months
  • Schedule: 04/2021 - 06/2024

I‑80/Madison Avenue Interchange

2022 Highlights: Construction began on the eastbound project in fall 2022. Minimal grading and ground improvements were performed.

Looking Ahead: The Madison Avenue ramp to I‑80 eastbound will be closed in the spring for up to 6 months. Bridge construction and grading and paving will continue throughout 2023.

The westbound project design will continue to be updated in anticipation of advertising to contractors in late 2023.

  • Estimated Cost: $105M
  • Estimated Duration: 45 months
  • Schedule: 09/2022 - 06/2026

I‑80/Madison Avenue Interchange

2022 Highlights: Construction began on the eastbound project in fall 2022. Minimal grading and ground improvements were performed.

Looking Ahead: The Madison Avenue ramp to I‑80 eastbound will be closed in the spring for up to 6 months. Bridge construction and grading and paving will continue throughout 2023.

The westbound project design will continue to be updated in anticipation of advertising to contractors in late 2023.

  • Estimated Cost: $105M
  • Estimated Duration: 45 months
  • Schedule: 09/2022 - 06/2026

Getting you There

Managing Local Impacts

Construction Coordination

Coordination remains critical to the success of the I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway System Interchange project. Construction is occurring in and next to residential areas, meaning access to homes, noise, vibration and dust are a challenge for contractors and residents. To address concerns, the team reevaluated when street closures could occur to allow demolition to happen earlier in the day or over weekends to limit the amount of noise at night.

Several residents were also heavily impacted by local road closures and driveway reconstructions this year. Efforts were made by Iowa DOT to keep them informed with timely and concise information about the construction and how they could find out more if they had questions or concerns. Iowa DOT thanks everyone for their patience this year during the reconstruction in the neighborhoods.

The construction team also coordinated closely with the City of Council Bluffs in regards to street closures and detours. Careful coordination was imperative as there were three separate contractors working on other projects directly adjacent to this project, including a Nebraska DOT project to the west. Coordination between all projects was needed to keep contractors and drivers safe throughout the area and minimize driver frustrations resulting from multiple, confusing detours.

To assist drivers, the project team coordinates with mapping agencies, such as Waze, Google and Apple, to ensure navigation services have up to date roadway closures and openings.

Traffic Concerns

With significant traffic on both interstates and the interchange, the Iowa DOT was concerned about traffic impacts during construction. The project team developed innovative staging and maintenance of traffic plans that allowed the contractor to close several interstate system ramps and mainline roadways for long periods of time. By allowing major interstate closures, reconstruction is occurring at a faster pace, reducing the anticipated construction duration from five and a half years to just over three years, and a safer work zone is provided for the contractor and the traveling public. Regional and local detours were developed to assist drivers to get where they want to go in the most efficient way.

Adaptive traffic signal technologies are in place along frontage roads and West Broadway intersections. This type of technology is rarely used within an active construction project; however, it has proven to keep traffic, including interstate traffic, moving efficiently and safely during heavy use and peak traffic periods.

Traffic is scheduled to return to I‑29, I‑480 and the interchange ramps in 2023. This interchange project is anticipated to be complete by summer 2024. Once complete, this project will change the landscape of the interchange and how drivers travel through it. The project has already provided local area access where previously it wasn’t possible. Future project efforts will focus on interstate ramps and will have less impacts to drivers and local roadways.

I-80/I-29 Dual Divided Freeway

The new West Broadway alignments and 40th Street were constructed and opened to traffic in 2022.

2022 Public Outreach

The Program’s annual Elected Officials’ Briefing was presented in an online format in May 2022.

Since 2014, the Program has provided informative, timely and concise communications to stakeholders and the traveling public throughout the region. The public engagement approach capitalizes on opportunities that communicate the thoughtful planning and execution of taxpayer dollars. Program, traffic and construction-related information is shared with the public through a variety of in‑person and online platforms.

In 2022, much of the Program’s public outreach continued to be provided virtually through social media and other online tools. The Program’s annual Elected Officials’ Briefing was presented in an online format in May.

With construction activities near the I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway Interchange impacting many homes and apartments, the Program provided website and email updates, as well as direct contact with impacted stakeholders and residents in the area.

In fall 2022, the effort shifted to the many businesses near the I‑80/Madison Avenue Interchange to inform them about the start of the construction project and the impacts they could expect.

In October 2022, a video was developed to explain the changes to the I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway Interchange ramps. Visit the webpage at councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov/projects/west-broadway-interchange/.

2022 Program Recognition

Wes Mayberry, Iowa DOT and Mark Pohlmann, HDR accepted the Nebraska ACEC award in spring 2022.

Social Media Analytics

Public outreach is provided through the Program’s social media channels, including Twitter and Facebook.

TwitterTwitter

342,173 Impressions the number of times content was displayed

15,361 Engagements any form of interaction on social media including likes, comments or shares

285 Followers people who have liked, or “followed” accounts on social media

2,626 Reactions likes or emoji responses to a post

1,420 Retweets the number of times individuals have shared a post to their own social media followers

10,795 Post Clicks the number of times a post was clicked, not including reactions, comments or shares

FacebookFacebook

54,241 Impressions the number of times content was displayed

1,986 Engagements any form of interaction on social media including likes, comments or shares

35 Followers people who have liked, or “followed” accounts on social media

94 Reactions likes or emoji responses to a post

81 Shares the number of times individuals have shared a post to their own social media followers

1,794 Post Clicks the number of times a post was clicked, not including reactions, comments or shares

Birds-eye view of the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Retaining Walls at 9th Avenue upon which I‑29 will be built.

Program Status

Investing in Infrastructure

The Iowa Transportation Commission and Iowa DOT recognize that the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program is a significant investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure. We continue to look for opportunities to effectively and efficiently manage the successful delivery of highway improvement projects.

Project Bid through December 2022

  • Project Contracts Awarded: 22
  • Projects Yet to Bid: 1

Dollars Spent through December 2022

  • Awarded Contracts Value: $1.19 B
  • Amount Spent: $1.08 B
  • Additional Dollars Programmed: $73 M

Long-Term Strategy

Program construction started in 2008 and is expected to continue through 2026. Approximately 85% of Program construction has been completed. Projects were grouped strategically to maximize improvements while minimizing construction impacts to Council Bluffs residents and the traveling public.

Dollars allocated per Fiscal Year

MILLION
80 64 48 32 16 0
2022
$65.6M
2023
$68.2M
2024
$58.1M
2025
$0M*
2026
$1.0M

Approved by the Transportation Commission, June 2022.
*No funds were allocated for 2025 in the 2022 Transportation Plan, however FY 2026 funds will be moved to FY 2025 in the updated 2023 plan and no funds will be allocated for 2026 as all program activities will be awarded at that point.

By the Numbers

Construction of the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program has been active since 2008. These statistics provide a snapshot of the magnitude of work completed in 2022.

50,000 linear feet of pipe 132,500 to-date
42,800 linear feet of conduit 204,800 to-date
3,700 linear feet of retaining wall 90,100 to-date

Click or tap the dots for a snapshot of work completed in 2022.

Panorama of ongoing construction
1,735 tons reinforcing steel 20,350 to-date
55,830 cubic yards of concrete poured 686,150 to-date
1,387,000 cubic yards of earthwork moved 11,191,000 to-date
1,735 tons of bridge structural steel 20,350 to-date
133,150 square yards of concrete paving 2,026,150 to-date
187,000 square feet of bridge deck poured 2,218,000 to-date
62 new tower & street lights 379 to-date

Construction of the I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway Interchange is trending under budget and ahead of schedule. Expect I‑29 to fully open in fall 2023.

Over 40 bridge piers were constructed in 2022 for the I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway Interchange.

The Road Ahead

For a detailed review of the history of the Council Bluffs Interstate Program, please visit http://councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov/history/.

2022–2026

Much has been accomplished since construction of the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvements began in 2008. The Iowa DOT and Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program appreciates the cooperation of all our project partners, the work of design and contractor teams, and the public’s flexibility and patience as we work to improve safety and the ability to move growing numbers of people and goods through this critical area of our state. While our work is far from done, completion is in sight.

2022

  • I‑29/Nebraska Avenue Interchange complete
  • I‑80/Madison Avenue Interchange reconstruction begins
  • I‑29 Southbound Frontage Road open to detoured traffic

2023

  • I‑29 mainline and I‑480 system ramps re-open to traffic

2024

  • I‑80/Madison Avenue westbound project expected to begin
  • I‑29/I‑480/West Broadway Interchange complete

2025

  • I‑80/Madison Avenue Interchange complete

2026

  • Council Bluffs Interstate Improvement Program concludes