Project Location

Council Bluffs, IA

Project Description

The Council Bluffs Interstate System was originally constructed in the 1960s. Although routine maintenance projects were completed, significant changes had not been made since its original construction. When studies began on the interstate reconstruction, the Council Bluffs Interstate System typically carried 20,000–75,000 vehicles; 11–25% of those are trucks. By 2030, traffic on I-80 between the I-29 interchanges is expected to increase by more than 130,000 vehicles a day. This increase in traffic, coupled with an outdated design standard, is what drove system improvements.

During evaluation of highway design alternatives, it was determined that a dual, divided freeway should be constructed along the overlapping section of I-80/I-29 between the West System Interchange and East System Interchange. This design physically separates through traffic on I-80 from local traffic on I-29 destined for Council Bluffs, creating I-80 Express lanes and I-29/I-80 Local lanes. This is accomplished by constructing four separate roadways (two roadways for traffic in each direction). Each roadway is separated by a concrete median barrier.

Benefits of a dual, divided freeway

• Offers redundancy and allows traffic to keep moving in both directions, even if lanes are blocked because of a crash or maintenance.
• Improves roadway safety and will reduce the number of crashes caused by merging traffic between tightly spaced interchanges.
• Eases congestion, especially during peak or rush hours by separating through traffic on I-80 (traffic not stopping in Council Bluffs) from local traffic destined for Council Bluffs.
• Accommodates projected traffic growth and planned development in the area.

Video animation 

In July 2021 the final portions of dual, divided freeway opened and marked the completion of the project. The video below explains the  benefits of the I-80/I-29 Dual, Divided Freeway within the Council Bluffs Interstate System.

Videos

• On March 27, 2019 the westbound/northbound portion of the dual, divided freeway opened. This video explains how to use this new freeway.
• A video showing how the dual, divided freeway will work was presented during an October 2005 public meeting.