$700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by EastCB »

skinzfan23 wrote:It seems that the whole interstate project in CB is taking way longer than it should. I remember when they reconstructed the S 24th St bridge as one of the first steps to widening I-80. That bridge was completed in 2001. So here we are 15 years later, and still a ton of work to do on the roadway under the bridge.
The bridge was completed in 2008.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by EastCB »

The first 8 years 425 million was spent on the reconstruction. The next 5 years 571 million will be spent. And finally, the last 2 years it will be 260 million. Considering that there are other highway projects in Iowa, I think this is pretty good.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by MTO »

And once those are wrapped up DSM will be getting its second beltway.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

On Monday, June 13, construction crews will shift traffic overnight on I-80 westbound /I-29 northbound between 24th Street and the Missouri River Bridge,weather permitting.

Following the traffic shift, a fourth lane of roadway for I-29/I-80 will be added at the 24th Street on-ramp and
traffic staying on I-80 westbound at the I-80/I-29 interchange will shift over to the new permanent westbound
lanes

Image
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by icejammer »

IDOT says $100M to be spent on interstate system
About $110 million will be spent this year improving the interstate highway system in Council Bluffs as the largest highway funding effort ever by the Iowa Department of Transportation continues.

Seven specific projects for 2017 have either started or will soon, officials explained during a public meeting at the local DOT office at the Mall of the Bluffs. . .
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by icejammer »

Reconstruction on western section of Bluffs interstate system set for 2020
Reconstruction is set to start in 2020 on the western section of the Council Bluffs interstate system, which will carry a price tag of $238 million. . .

“The interchange of I-29 and I-480 will be completely reconstructed,” said Wendy Thompson, the project’s public information officer.

A main feature with this will involve moving northbound I-29 traffic to the right side in exiting to I-480 as opposed to the left side entry now, Thompson said. Other key points include the elimination of the current partial interchange at North 35th Street.

The interchange on Avenue G for southbound I-29 traffic will be moved further north, she added. This will reduce what she described as a “weaving conflict” that is present today.

The project will also involve 14 new bridges. . .
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Brad
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

Better interchanges should really help the north side of Council Bluffs. Looking forward to this.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

Cool photo tweeted by Lt Budd of the Council Bluff Police Department this morning:


@CBLtBudd wrote: Friday morning - New off ramp to So Expressway will be open for 80 WB traffic. I29 N traffic for So Expressway needs to exit at Hwy 92
Image
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Omaha Cowboy »

That is one very cool looking photo :thumb: ...

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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by BRoss »

Brad wrote:Cool photo tweeted by Lt Budd of the Council Bluff Police Department this morning:


@CBLtBudd wrote: Friday morning - New off ramp to So Expressway will be open for 80 WB traffic. I29 N traffic for So Expressway needs to exit at Hwy 92
Image
He also posted this video:
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

Get ready, motorists: a new type of freeway is coming your way in Council Bluffs

https://www.omaha.com/sponsored/get-rea ... 8194e.html
Tim Winters / Special for Iowa Department of Transportation wrote:Next month, the Iowa Department of Transportation plans to open the westbound lanes of a novel dual, divided freeway designed to improve traffic flow and motorist safety along a 3-mile corridor through the Bluffs.

The dual, divided freeway — the first in the region — separates Interstate through-traffic from local traffic in a 3 and 3 lane configuration. Motorists on the three local westbound lanes will be able to exit at various points; vehicles on the three express lanes will not have exits in the three-mile corridor.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by BRoss »

I've been looking forward to the dual-divided portion opening for years. With this portion and the 13th - 24th St projects wrapping up. a big stretch will finally be mostly done after being a mess for so long.

Here's an update for 2019.

Some highlights:

Video about dual-divided section.

Project timelines:
Image

I-29 & Nebraska Ave:
Image
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by obvious2677 »

HR Paperstacks wrote: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:18 pm I've been looking forward to the dual-divided portion opening for years. With this portion and the 13th - 24th St projects wrapping up. a big stretch will finally be mostly done after being a mess for so long.

Here's an update for 2019.

Some highlights:

Video about dual-divided section.

Project timelines:
Image

I-29 & Nebraska Ave:
Image
We have some crazy drone footage of this. I'll have to see if it's being released publicly - if it is, I'll post a link.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by EricHaley »

I think the concept would make a huge difference for the better if it was implemented on I-80 through Omaha.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Busguy2010 »

EricHaley wrote: Fri Feb 22, 2019 10:24 pm I think the concept would make a huge difference for the better if it was implemented on I-80 through Omaha.
Imagine the chaos of implementation.

CB (Or Iowa, or the feds. Whoever did it.) did this well before they needed it. If we were going to do something like this, we needed to do it well over a decade ago. The other thing is there's no way there's enough lanes worth of interstate traffic passing all the way through Omaha to do all that (What percentage of interstate traffic passes all the way through Omaha without making a stop vs traffic that does?). There's way more local traffic here than in CB and relatively way more interstate traffic in CB than in Omaha.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by obvious2677 »

Busguy2010 wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 12:18 am
EricHaley wrote: Fri Feb 22, 2019 10:24 pm I think the concept would make a huge difference for the better if it was implemented on I-80 through Omaha.
Imagine the chaos of implementation.

CB (Or Iowa, or the feds. Whoever did it.) did this well before they needed it. If we were going to do something like this, we needed to do it well over a decade ago. The other thing is there's no way there's enough lanes worth of interstate traffic passing all the way through Omaha to do all that (What percentage of interstate traffic passes all the way through Omaha without making a stop vs traffic that does?). There's way more local traffic here than in CB and relatively way more interstate traffic in CB than in Omaha.
It wouldn't be that horrible.... If Orlando can redo 21 miles of I-4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWGglDMp9bU) through the heart of downtown - with express lanes, we could do the equivalent in Omaha (which would be from Gretna to the river). That being said, I don't think Omaha's interstate is even that bad - people need to stop moving to Egypt in the first place.

CBIS, in total, is 18 miles and nearly $2 billion - 85% federal, 15% state. It's not expected to be done - in total - for 5 more years. Major construction started 5 years ago too.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by EricHaley »

Busguy2010 wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 12:18 am
EricHaley wrote: Fri Feb 22, 2019 10:24 pm I think the concept would make a huge difference for the better if it was implemented on I-80 through Omaha.
Imagine the chaos of implementation.

CB (Or Iowa, or the feds. Whoever did it.) did this well before they needed it. If we were going to do something like this, we needed to do it well over a decade ago. The other thing is there's no way there's enough lanes worth of interstate traffic passing all the way through Omaha to do all that (What percentage of interstate traffic passes all the way through Omaha without making a stop vs traffic that does?). There's way more local traffic here than in CB and relatively way more interstate traffic in CB than in Omaha.
I agree, it would be a nightmare (if not downright impossible) to implement.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by jag42 »

All the new interstate signs going up in CB, and no US Highway 6 on those signs, even though it now runs concurrently with I-80/29.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by BRoss »

jag42 wrote: Sat Apr 06, 2019 7:51 am All the new interstate signs going up in CB, and no US Highway 6 on those signs, even though it now runs concurrently with I-80/29.
Did they not update their signage plans with this change?
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by jag42 »

Apparently not...I asked about this on their Facebook page and someone said they'd get back, but haven't heard yet.

Maybe the plan is to shift Highway 6 back to Broadway when that project is all done? Not sure
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by joleo »

EricHaley wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 3:53 pm
Busguy2010 wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2019 12:18 am
EricHaley wrote: Fri Feb 22, 2019 10:24 pm I think the concept would make a huge difference for the better if it was implemented on I-80 through Omaha.
Imagine the chaos of implementation.

CB (Or Iowa, or the feds. Whoever did it.) did this well before they needed it. If we were going to do something like this, we needed to do it well over a decade ago. The other thing is there's no way there's enough lanes worth of interstate traffic passing all the way through Omaha to do all that (What percentage of interstate traffic passes all the way through Omaha without making a stop vs traffic that does?). There's way more local traffic here than in CB and relatively way more interstate traffic in CB than in Omaha.
I agree, it would be a nightmare (if not downright impossible) to implement.
Not impossible or really that expensive considering. I think you could do it for maybe $500-$700 million? Remove the inside lane each direction from I-80 through Omaha. Add 2 lanes protected by concrete barriers down the middle that would flip direction depending on the time of day with automatic gates. It would function identical to I-25 in Denver from downtown Denver extending north if anybody is familiar with that. It is used for carpools only and works great. It even has special ramps with direct access right to downtown denver bypassing city streets that everybody else has to drive through. It's amazing!
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by TitosBuritoBarn »

Had a chance to drive on this into Omaha tonight for the first time and, man, I don’t think induced demand issues will ever apply on this section of freeway. I think it may hit capacity again about the same time the sun burns out. I think we could have scaled this back a bit
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:35 pm Had a chance to drive on this into Omaha tonight for the first time and, man, I don’t think induced demand issues will ever apply on this section of freeway. I think it may hit capacity again about the same time the sun burns out. I think we could have scaled this back a bit
Possibly the most unnecessarily large, and in turn excruciatingly long, road construction project I have ever seen.

The Local/express route idea is extremely confusing for drivers, nearly every day I see trucks and cars stopped before the two routes separate trying to figure out which way they should go.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by nativeomahan »

As I recall the reconstruction of I-80, I-480 and I-680 in Omaha around the turn of the century had to take at least a decade to complete. That is if it has ever actually been completed. I cannot recall a single year this century with no major widening or reconstruction project underway somewhere in Omaha or Sarpy County.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

Cool aerial view from IDOT:
(East Interchange looking south) Image
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by damonhynes »

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:35 pm Had a chance to drive on this into Omaha tonight for the first time and, man, I don’t think induced demand issues will ever apply on this section of freeway. I think it may hit capacity again about the same time the sun burns out. I think we could have scaled this back a bit
It's sad that those metal objets d'art still infest the 24th St. interchange.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by jag42 »

I wonder if they'll ever show on all the highway signs that US 6 now runs along I-80/29 through Council Bluffs
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by S.O.Boy »

damonhynes wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 1:18 pm
TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:35 pm Had a chance to drive on this into Omaha tonight for the first time and, man, I don’t think induced demand issues will ever apply on this section of freeway. I think it may hit capacity again about the same time the sun burns out. I think we could have scaled this back a bit
It's sad that those metal objets d'art still infest the 24th St. interchange.
I don't care for those either.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by NovakOmaha »

damonhynes wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 1:18 pm
TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:35 pm Had a chance to drive on this into Omaha tonight for the first time and, man, I don’t think induced demand issues will ever apply on this section of freeway. I think it may hit capacity again about the same time the sun burns out. I think we could have scaled this back a bit
It's sad that those metal objets d'art still infest the 24th St. interchange.
Look I'm all about art & I'm sure somewhere someone's mother is still bragging about her kid making those but wow. Straight outta the middle ages & a war. Sad truth is that Iowa West probably paid for those so 90% of the cost slithered over the bridge from Nebraska to the casinos. Perhaps some day Nebraska can infest Nebraska exit ramps with ugly (In my opinion) art with casino profits.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by BRoss »

The completed east system interchange:
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Busguy2010 »

I think it was cool to have such an ambitious transportation project going on in the metro... It also felt like the least needed and most overdone. But hey, I'm not complaining. They do things different in Iowa. I think Nebraska would do well to adopt some of their philosophy.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by PWL73316 »

I drive this pretty frequently and it seems insanely overbuilt to me. I don't care how many trucks supposedly use it, it is like 99% empty all the time.

That said, it's more usable than it used to be.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 3:16 pm I drive this pretty frequently and it seems insanely overbuilt to me. I don't care how many trucks supposedly use it, it is like 99% empty all the time.

That said, it's more usable than it used to be.
That's how I feel about it. A solution for a problem that wasn't there. But yeah, I'm not complaining. I hope the practicality of the project shows itself at some point
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 11:20 pm
PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 3:16 pm I drive this pretty frequently and it seems insanely overbuilt to me. I don't care how many trucks supposedly use it, it is like 99% empty all the time.

That said, it's more usable than it used to be.
That's how I feel about it. A solution for a problem that wasn't there. But yeah, I'm not complaining. I hope the practicality of the project shows itself at some point
The weaving between I-80/I-29 and the exits were a problem. More lanes would have exacerbated it. The number of lanes are not necessarily needed at this time, but they do need a minimum of three lanes each direction going through the metro on I-80 and the I-29/I-80 local also needs enough capacity to handle the traffic of I-29 and the local exits. Overall the slack adds up and makes it look way overbuilt. But I'd hate to see the mess if they made it more like I-80 between I-480 and I-680.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by thenewguy »

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 11:20 pm
PWL73316 wrote: Tue Jul 06, 2021 3:16 pm I drive this pretty frequently and it seems insanely overbuilt to me. I don't care how many trucks supposedly use it, it is like 99% empty all the time.

That said, it's more usable than it used to be.
That's how I feel about it. A solution for a problem that wasn't there. But yeah, I'm not complaining. I hope the practicality of the project shows itself at some point

I think they actually did some planning ahead for once and it'll be quite handy in the next few years as volume increases.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by BRoss »

Now that the dual-divided freeway is complete, they posted a little video about the project.

http://councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot. ... k8yc5hxg9w
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

One other thing the video mentions that I am not sure most people realize, is the speed limit increase. Due to the volume being spread out more, they were able to increase the speed limit from 55 to 65.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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skinzfan23 wrote: Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:18 am One other thing the video mentions that I am not sure most people realize, is the speed limit increase. Due to the volume being spread out more, they were able to increase the speed limit from 55 to 65.
I forgot that the speed was once 55 mph, But most just go 75 on the freeway anyway. :D
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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ByrnesViceVersa wrote: Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:37 am
skinzfan23 wrote: Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:18 am One other thing the video mentions that I am not sure most people realize, is the speed limit increase. Due to the volume being spread out more, they were able to increase the speed limit from 55 to 65.
I forgot that the speed was once 55 mph, But most just go 75 on the freeway anyway. :D
75!? Who drives that slow!? :shock:
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by ByrnesViceVersa »

Athomsfere wrote: Mon Aug 16, 2021 2:44 pm
ByrnesViceVersa wrote: Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:37 am
skinzfan23 wrote: Fri Aug 13, 2021 10:18 am One other thing the video mentions that I am not sure most people realize, is the speed limit increase. Due to the volume being spread out more, they were able to increase the speed limit from 55 to 65.
I forgot that the speed was once 55 mph, But most just go 75 on the freeway anyway. :D
75!? Who drives that slow!? :shock:
Not trying to incriminate my self :mrgreen:
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