About the program

On a daily basis, the Council Bluffs Interstate System typically carries 20,000-76,000 vehicles; 11-25% of those are trucks. By 2030, traffic on I-80 between the I-29 interchanges is expected to increase to more than 120,000 vehicles a day. This increase in traffic, coupled with an outdated design standard from the 1950s and 60s is what drove the acceleration of the system improvements. The Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program is a major effort that will result in a modernization and reconstruction of the interstate highway system in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Iowa DOT is committed to completing the interstate improvements with minimal inconvenience to the public. Additionally, we are committed to keeping the traveling public informed of the project impacts in a timely and accurate manner. Sign-up for mobile alerts and traffic information.

Programming

Iowa DOT annually prepares a report that outlines capital investments, services, and regulatory practices for the next five years. The Iowa Transportation Improvement Program is published to inform you of planned investments in our state’s multimodal transportation system including aviation, public transit, railroads, trails, and highways. A major component of the Program is the highway program. The Commission and Iowa DOT continue to recognize the critical importance of an effective and efficient interstate highway system. The interstate highways connect all transportation systems in Iowa and allow major freight movements to occur delivering Iowa products to world marketplaces. In the FY 2024-2028 highway program, $64 million is programmed for investment in the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program.

The Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program is currently one of Iowa DOT’s largest highway funding efforts. To successfully implement this Program, the Iowa DOT will look for all opportunities to effectively and efficiently turn this significant commitment of resources into successfully implemented highway improvement projects. Read more about the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program in the Program brochure.

For more information about Iowa’s 5-year Transportation Improvement Program, visit: https://iowadot.gov/program_management/Five-Year-Program

Contracting

The Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program represents commitments from Iowa Division of the Federal Highway Administration and the Iowa DOT. The program uses a tiered approach to project implementation that involves FHWA, DOT, the consultant team and regional construction contractors. This tiered approach will help to improve on the progress made to date. The future success of this program depends on continuing this tiered approach to project implementation.