$700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:58 am

IDOT lays out interstate expansion plans

. . . Â On Tuesday, Iowa Department of Transportation officials discussed the continuation of a massive reconstruction of the interstate system around Council Bluffs, focusing on the second segment of the project.

This segment covers the stretch of Interstate 29/80 from just east of the Missouri River to Indian Creek and I-29 on the western edge of the city to the Union Pacific Railroad overpass north of Nebraska Avenue.

More than 90,000 vehicles a day use I-29/80, which runs east and west along a fast developing area that includes Bass Pro Shops, restaurants, Star Cinema, the Mid-America Center, Horseshoe Casino, the Council Bluffs Recreation Complex and the Western Historic Trails Center.

The plans call for widening this stretch to six lanes in each direction.

"Three lanes of I-80 will be express and three lanes of I-29/80 on the outside will be local," said IDOT spokesman Scott Suhr.

Because of the heavy traffic volume, this portion of the second segment will probably be built first, Suhr said.

The other portion on this segment will involve construction of three lanes in each direction on I-29 north of its west junction with I-80. The interchange at Nebraska Avenue, along with the railroad overpass, will be reconstructed. . . .

The first step in this second segment will be the purchase of land for the highway expansion, he said. Only two homes, near Indian Creek, will be demolished and they have already been acquired, Skogerboe said. The purchase of the needed land could begin early this year, Suhr said. Actual construction, however, might not start until 2011, or later, with the I-29/80 stretch completed by 2016 or later, he said. . . .

There were concerns, however, raised at Tuesday's meeting at the Mid-America Center.

The IDOT is looking at purchasing some 60 acres of land from the Western Historic Trails Center, according to its director, K.C. Collins-Hummel. This comes at a time when the center had planned to start an educational program that included bison living on the property. . . .

Post by **Brad** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:25 pm

Do they need to rebuild the UP bridge?

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:24 pm

Brad wrote:Do they need to rebuild the UP bridge?

Well, it will definitely have to increase in span in order to clear an extra 2+ lanes of traffic. Â They're not likely to tear it out and build a new one (although I have seen it done in 24 hours, albeit on a smaller bridge), so they'll have to be a little creative in extending it out to the proper span.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:52 pm

icejammer wrote:
Brad wrote:Do they need to rebuild the UP bridge?
Well, it will definitely have to increase in span in order to clear an extra 2+ lanes of traffic. They're not likely to tear it out and build a new one (although I have seen it done in 24 hours, albeit on a smaller bridge), so they'll have to be a little creative in extending it out to the proper span.

I bet they can split it in half length wise and remove one track at a time. Â Its 4 tracks, here is an older photo of it:

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Sun May 03, 2009 4:25 pm

Was it really necessary to tear down ALL the trees that were in front of the trailer park east of 24th Street?

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Sun May 03, 2009 8:51 pm

yeah, i didn't get the logic in that myself. Â Not only was it a good wind barrier, but a visual barrier as well. Â Could have just cleaned them up some, hauled out the ones that were damaged in the storm last spring. Â On a side note, many of them are actually decent looking...but in the next tornado, they're going to be like 40' long bullets aimed at the interstate. Â Or wherever they are lifted off to.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:35 am

TitosBuritoBarn wrote:Was it really necessary to tear down ALL the trees that were in front of the trailer park east of 24th Street?

They probably could have waited a couple years, but they were all going to have to come down for the widening in a few years anyway.

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:14 pm

thenewguy wrote: Not only was it a good wind barrier, but a visual barrier as well.

I've been wondering the same. I thought the visual barrier was good since a view of the trailer park in the most highly trafficked section of road in the Bluffs is not great for the city's image. I thought the trees would be preferred by the residents for the reduction in noise. But who knows, I'm sure it was a good idea in someones mind.

UNOstudent · Post by **UNOstudent** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 8:26 pm

A little old, June 5th

Post by **Brad** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:21 am

Great Shot! Â Thanks for Posting!!!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:54 pm

Great vantage point! Â Can't wait until it's completed.

mcarch · Post by **mcarch** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:44 pm

Wish it was built like the Ped. Bridge.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:24 pm

mcarch wrote:Wish it was built like the Ped. Bridge.

You'd get dizzy driving around in circles.

mcarch · Post by **mcarch** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:33 pm

I meant the main design not necessary the curve or the ramps leading up to it.

UNOstudent · Post by **UNOstudent** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:29 pm

July 7th

omaja · Post by **omaja** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:21 pm

Maybe we can put the money that we didn't spend on making the bridge special towards a fund that will A. make both spans the same color (preferably not the standard viaduct-puke-green or overpass-sh!t-brown) and B. light them up at night?

The 480 bridge would probably benefit from the lights more than the 80 bridge, but both definitely need a new paint job.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:58 pm

Great update shots unosudent, chris??

Where was the under side shot taken?

UNOstudent · Post by **UNOstudent** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:12 pm

Yep, Chris is the name. Thanks for the props.

I was driving through the BNSF yard and just continued north to see how far I could go and I went to the I-80 bridges.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:25 pm

I have never ventured that far north.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:08 pm

From the Iowa side during my bike ride:

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:19 pm

I was just riding through there on Saturday myself, Brad. Just south of there is some BEAUTIFUL, pristine nature.

I wonder if, in conjunction with CB redoing its entire interstate system, that might include improving and updating signage as it relates to DTO (as talked about in another thread...).

There REALLY should be signage on wb I-80 as you come through CB indicating "DOWNTOWN OMAHA" for north I-29 to I-480 into Downtown. This is really the most logical route.

If you're coming into Omaha from Western Iowa to go to a concert at the Qwest Center, the interstate signage would have you stay on I-80 all the way to the southern terminus of I-480 to get Downtown, at which point you're totally backtracking.

Not to mention the unbelievably awesome view of the skyline coming over the 480 bridge.

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:23 pm

Actually its closed. Â For the past few weeks you can NOT get from NB I29 to WB I480. Â They are doing bridge work.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:31 pm

Hmmm. Is this in conjunction with the interstate system reconstruction? Or just maintenance?

And, traditionally, with a big redo like this, wouldn't that be when they would update signage, etc.?

Post by **Brad** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:32 pm

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Hmmm. Is this in conjunction with the interstate system reconstruction? Or just maintenance?

And, traditionally, with a big redo like this, wouldn't that be when they would update signage, etc.?

I think they are just re-enforcing the railing? Â But I am not sure....

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:54 pm

They're doing some work on the bridge deck, might be doing something with the railing as well.

Bryan1117 · Post by **Bryan1117** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:56 pm

Coming back from Des Moines this evening, I couldn't help but notice that some really nice lighting (the "rope lights" mentioned in the Nonpariel article back on page 2) was added to the 24th Street Bridge over I-80 in Council Bluffs, which illuminates the railings of the bridge, making it really stand out when you are driving towards it. Nothing spectacular I know, but a cool touch to this well designed bridge.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:29 am

Bryan1117 wrote:Coming back from Des Moines this evening, I couldn't help but notice that some really nice lighting (the "rope lights" mentioned in the Nonpariel article back on page 2) was added to the 24th Street Bridge over I-80 in Council Bluffs, which illuminates the railings of the bridge, making it really stand out when you are driving towards it. Nothing spectacular I know, but a cool touch to this well designed bridge.

Those have been up since they finished construction, but it took several months to where they have finally got the lights to all stay on at the same time for an extended period of time. Â I do agree it looks nice.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:14 am

I noticed that, too icejammer. Over the summer it seemed like there were always sections that weren't on. It sounds like maybe they've worked the kinks out, which is a good thing.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:57 pm

Aerial Update:
1.

2.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:39 pm

We've had "aerial" and "arial" updates. Â

Big E is very much looking forward to the inevitable de-evolution to the "areola" update.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:42 pm

fixed.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 6:49 am

Apparently they are closing I80 over night all spring and are to have it open by 6am. Â However its almost 7 and still closed and traffic is backed up all the way to Lake Manaua.

bargainhunter · Post by **bargainhunter** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:11 am

Holy S*IT! Â This was the worst traffic I have experienced in the 4 years I lived here! Â I-80W was backed up east of the Manawa exit. Â And I don't just mean backed up, I mean NOT MOVING! Â Took me 15 minutes to go from the Manawa exit to CB 24th St exit. Â That's normally less than 1 minute. Â I-29N to I-480 was backed up. Â The Dodge St exit off I-480E was backed up past the 75N exit! Â They will have to change the I-80 construction times or something. Â I usually take Broadway to Dodge in the morning, but with Broadway detoured I have been taking I-80. Â It would help if South Omaha Bridge was open. Â Anyone know when that is expected to reopen?

Post by **Brad** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:17 am

bargainhunter wrote:It would help if South Omaha Bridge was open. Anyone know when that is expected to reopen?

Just before the CWS in June.

OmahaBen · Post by **OmahaBen** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:40 am

bargainhunter wrote:Holy S*IT! This was the worst traffic I have experienced in the 4 years I lived here! I-80W was backed up east of the Manawa exit. And I don't just mean backed up, I mean NOT MOVING! Took me 15 minutes to go from the Manawa exit to CB 24th St exit. That's normally less than 1 minute. I-29N to I-480 was backed up. The Dodge St exit off I-480E was backed up past the 75N exit! They will have to change the I-80 construction times or something. I usually take Broadway to Dodge in the morning, but with Broadway detoured I have been taking I-80. It would help if South Omaha Bridge was open. Anyone know when that is expected to reopen?

Welcome to construction season. The various planning agencies (Neb and Iowa Dept.'s of Roads, the Cities of Omaha and Council Bluffs) never coordinate their activities, which is why every road is closed at once.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:00 am

I can't recall... are we re-building the I-80/480 stack with this project? (badly needed!) Â 480/North Freeway is looking so much better... would be nice to see the south interchange look so good.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:53 am

It's probably a good thing that there was a delay opening the bridge this morning. Â EB I80 was closed down to one lane because of an accident just before 680/I-L-Q and it was backed up all the way past 60th.

OmahaBen · Post by **OmahaBen** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:53 am

Stargazer wrote:I can't recall... are we re-building the I-80/480 stack with this project? (badly needed!) 480/North Freeway is looking so much better... would be nice to see the south interchange look so good.

I-80/480/Kennedy Freeway just got redone ~10-15 years ago - it was one of the first parts of the I-80 expansion through Omaha. Doubtful it'll be touched again in a major way within the next 25 years.

To answer your immediate question though, no it's not part of this project. Besides the stretch from the river to 24th street, it's strictly an Iowa roads project.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:03 pm

Okay, I guess we just need someone with a sandblaster and paint gun to get their |expletive| out there and do something with the bridgework.

Jason4225 · Post by **Jason4225** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:55 am

almighty_tuna wrote:It's probably a good thing that there was a delay opening the bridge this morning. EB I80 was closed down to one lane because of an accident just before 680/I-L-Q and it was backed up all the way past 60th.

Yeah, I was fortunate enough to getting off of work at 7 in CB that morning on my way back into Omaha to get caught by both of those delays. My normal 25 minute commute turned into just over an hour. I'm sure we will have to get used to many delays in our commute until this project is completed. I see that they are starting to lay the dirt both EB and WB for the road construction. Should be great when it's completed.