$700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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

Post by icejammer »

A reminder for those interested:
Open House for the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program

Tuesday, January 28, 2014
4:00–7:00 p.m.
Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program Office
Mall of the Bluffs
1751 Madison Avenue, Suite 750, Council Bluffs, IA
(Enter on the east side of the Mall, next to the Dillard’s Clearance Store.)
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Brad
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

Photo Update:
1.
Image
mrsticka
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by mrsticka »

Will they install high mast lights at that interchange or keep the regular street lights? If this were being built in Nebraska, you can guarantee they'd install high masts.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by MTO »

Some descent flyovers.
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Brad
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

I had an on location photo shoot last week. While I was there I shot a couple shots of the new bridges at the 80/29 interchange.

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2.
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mrsticka
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by mrsticka »

Good photos. Looks like construction's coming along nicely. I wouldn't be surprised if they finished ahead of schedule, like the West Dodge Expressway.
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BRoss
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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The new southbound bridge from the west leg of I-29 to I-80 east is opening October 10th:

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/I-29 ... 92611.html
WOWT wrote:The new I-29 southbound bridge is set to open the morning of October 10th (weather permitting). Traffic will use this new southbound I-29 bridge to merge with I-80 eastbound on the right when travelling through the area.

...

Once the new I-29 SB bridge opens, eastbound I-80 traffic destined for 24th Street will exit earlier on the system just east of the Missouri River Bridge. New lighting and signs in Nebraska and Iowa will inform travelers of the shift in traffic flow, so keep an eye out for these changes.
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

Council Bluffs’ new I-29/I-80 interchange will feel more natural, should be safer for drivers
The second bridge will serve eastbound I-80 traffic merging onto northbound I-29.

After it opens, those on eastbound I-80 crossing the Missouri River from Nebraska who want to travel north on I-29 will exit to the right, then merge onto the left lane of I-29. It will be about three more years until the reconstruction work is far enough along that motorists can merge into the right, northbound lane.

Another big change will be coming in mid-November. At that point, a new exit from westbound I-80 to northbound I-29 will open. Motorists will likely find the new roadway easier to navigate because the pavement markings can now be difficult to see because of the construction work.


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I will be very glad when this opens today. Just last Friday I was traveling eastbound on I-80 and a semi going southbound on I-29 just merged into my lane while driving at least 70 mph in a 55 mph construction zone. I am not sure how I didn't get hit. It is good that I didn't because I would have been thrown into the cars in the right lane next to me. This option will be much safer.
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Coyote
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Coyote »

I have had that happen several times, driving east on I-80 in the past few weeks. There is no merging or right of way, or for that matter I don't think I have even seen a warning sign. I'm surprised there hasn't been an accident there yet.
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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Coyote wrote:I have had that happen several times, driving east on I-80 in the past few weeks. There is no merging or right of way, or for that matter I don't think I have even seen a warning sign. I'm surprised there hasn't been an accident there yet.
I believe they have had several. That is why a few years ago they extended the left lanes so you didn't need to merge over immediately. In my situation what made me even more mad was the fact that after the semi cut me off, he then merged back into the left lane in a 1/4 mile. I hate driving near semis and try to avoid being near them. I understand that they have blind spots but sometimes it seems like the drivers are just blind or think they own the hwy.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by nebugeater »

Not to take this off topic but I was by one of "those" semi drivers a couple of years ago on I 80 through Omaha My first encounter was coming off of 13th street onto I 80 West bound and he felt that the merge in lane was the place for him to go around a car on the right side to get around him rather than allowing for merging traffic. He just about took me out. Over the course of the next few miles I saw him change lanes MANY times and run up on the back of vehicles to the point of inches, not feet. I was maintaining one lane and one speed and he would go from in front of me to behind me so I had the chance to see the gaps first hand and accurately.

This is the one and only time that I called one of the HOW IS MY DRIVER numbers on the back of the truck. To my surprise the # was answered and after a quick exchange I was asked if I could see the truck now. I could and then I was forward to a company safety person. They asked me to confirm the number on the trailer and soon using the on board GPS and computer link they told me exactly where he was and asked to confirm. I had already told them what I had witnessed and the person on the phone told me that the speed logs backed up what I was telling them > they thanked me for the call and asked me if I wanted to be contacted for follow up and I said no. Within the next mile or so the truck slowed WAY down and went to one lane. The driver had a headset on so I am sure he was being talked to. I stayed behind him for the next 15 miles or so and he was a model driver. Wounder what ever happened when he was back "home" Made me believe in those numbers on the back of some trucks.
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Coyote
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Coyote »

Which segment opened today?
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BRoss
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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Coyote wrote:Which segment opened today?
I remember reading the eastbound 80 to northbound 29 ramp was supposed to open.
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Brad
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

This Week was the Eastbound I80 to Northbound I29
Last Week was the Southbound I29 to Eastbound I80
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Omaha_Gabe
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Omaha_Gabe »

Great to see a large sound wall going up!
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

Westbound motorists on I-80 and northbound on I-29 will begin shifting to new pavement lanes west of the South Expressway exit at 6 a.m. Friday, the Iowa Department of Transportation said. Motorists were urged to use caution while shifting to the new lanes.

Iowa officials said the new lanes are permanent pavement put down in preparation for the construction of I-80 westbound express lanes. Construction on those express lanes is set to begin in summer 2015.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by jag42 »

I see on the news signs they have put up over the interstate in Council Bluffs, they have covered up the exit numbers. The new signs had exit numbers corresponding to I-29 mile markers....someone must have decided to go back to using I-80 milage markers for the exit numbers?
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Trips »

Am I the only one that thinks they have issues with the signs when coming from Omaha. I visit the casino's once or twice a week and am not sure the last time I did not have to hear about someone missing a turn.

My first attempt to get off on 24th St ended up in getting off on the S. Expressway. I just following 3 cars that also missed and flipped around and backtracked. Attempt #2 was to go to Harrah's and missed the second right turn and ended up on 24th this time. (I could have made the turn but noticed late and was safer to not take it)
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

At least you didn't stop and try to reverse on the off ramp to get back on the interstate. I have seen that a few times. I am not quite sure what people are thinking when they do this. It is always much better to just go to the next exit and then head back towards the direction you just came.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

The 24th street exit is marked, but the exit starts way back by the river.
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Omaha_Gabe
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Omaha_Gabe »

I'm sure this will cause some business to lose some $$


"The Interstate 29 northbound on- and off-ramps at the U.S. Highway 275 and Iowa Highway 92 interchange – Exit 47 – are expected to close for approximately one year beginning on April 16, the Iowa Department of Transportation announced Friday.

Motorists will need to follow the marked detour to South Expressway and Iowa Highway 192 (Exit 3). Denmark Drive into Metro Crossing Shopping Center will also close from approximately April through September 2015. Metro Drive will remain open throughout construction."
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nativeomahan
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by nativeomahan »

With the huge mess of construction in CB it is great now to be able for Omahans to use the Kennedy Freeway south to the new Missouri River bridge on the south side of Bellevue. It saved us almost 10 minutes returning from Kansas City, not to mention a ton less aggravation. We left KC about 1:30 and pulled into my driveway in Omaha before 4 pm.
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Seth
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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nativeomahan wrote:With the huge mess of construction in CB it is great now to be able for Omahans to use the Kennedy Freeway south to the new Missouri River bridge on the south side of Bellevue. It saved us almost 10 minutes returning from Kansas City, not to mention a ton less aggravation. We left KC about 1:30 and pulled into my driveway in Omaha before 4 pm.
That's a good idea. I went to KC a couple weeks ago and took the normal I80-I29 route. Is the Bellevue bridge a toll route?
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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Seth wrote:
nativeomahan wrote:With the huge mess of construction in CB it is great now to be able for Omahans to use the Kennedy Freeway south to the new Missouri River bridge on the south side of Bellevue. It saved us almost 10 minutes returning from Kansas City, not to mention a ton less aggravation. We left KC about 1:30 and pulled into my driveway in Omaha before 4 pm.
That's a good idea. I went to KC a couple weeks ago and took the normal I80-I29 route. Is the Bellevue bridge a toll route?
The new Hwy 34 bridge that goes over to Glenwood, IA from near Platteview Rd in Bellevue is not a toll road. It is a 4-lane highway. The only bridges that are toll roads in the metro are the Plattsmouth bridge and the Hwy 370 bridge in Bellevue near Haworth Park.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by MadMartin8 »

skinzfan23 wrote:
Seth wrote:
nativeomahan wrote:With the huge mess of construction in CB it is great now to be able for Omahans to use the Kennedy Freeway south to the new Missouri River bridge on the south side of Bellevue. It saved us almost 10 minutes returning from Kansas City, not to mention a ton less aggravation. We left KC about 1:30 and pulled into my driveway in Omaha before 4 pm.
That's a good idea. I went to KC a couple weeks ago and took the normal I80-I29 route. Is the Bellevue bridge a toll route?
The new Hwy 34 bridge that goes over to Glenwood, IA from near Platteview Rd in Bellevue is not a toll road. It is a 4-lane highway. The only bridges that are toll roads in the metro are the Plattsmouth bridge and the Hwy 370 bridge in Bellevue near Haworth Park.

Every time I drive back from KC, I consider taking 34, but always thought it was a toll road. Thanks for clearing that up, I'll definitely be taking that to avoid the cluster**** that is I-80 in Omaha.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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MadMartin8 wrote: Every time I drive back from KC, I consider taking 34, but always thought it was a toll road. Thanks for clearing that up, I'll definitely be taking that to avoid the cluster**** that is I-80 in Omaha.
It's definitely can be faster than going I-80 thru CB, and a nicer drive. Just a fair warning, though, don't speed on the Nebraska side of that bridge...
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

Yeah it is pretty easy to speed on the Nebraska side...the road is smooth and flat and with nothing else around the road, it never feels like you are going fast.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by BRoss »

According to KETV, IDOT has moved up some of its construction timeline along I-29 and I-480 near Playland Park to help with better access.
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

HR Paperstacks wrote:According to KETV, IDOT has moved up some of its construction timeline along I-29 and I-480 near Playland Park to help with better access.
That is great news to hear. State officials working with local developers to get things done. Sounds like great team work.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

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

Post by Brad »

Aerial Photo Update.

1. Looking North West on 1-29 Towards CB
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2. Looking NW towards Council Bluffs
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3. 1-29 and Highway 275 Interchange
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4. Took this more for the rail yard, but looking southwest.
Image
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by MTO »

I hope in the far future NDoR will take this approach of separating the through traffic from the on/off traffic on I-80.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

MTO wrote:I hope in the far future NDoR will take this approach of separating the through traffic from the on/off traffic on I-80.
That would be especially nice on the I-80/680 interchange. There is no need for all those bridges, I-80 should be the "express route" similar to what they are doing in CB.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by Brad »

Aerial Photo Update.

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The Rest of these photos are of the Railroad Changes which are part of the interstate reconstruction.



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

Post by MTO »

Looking good, this is going to be an impressive system when complete.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

Changes to Council Bluffs Interstate interchange may be around the bend
Motorists driving east from downtown Omaha may see a changing Interstate interchange as the next decade dawns.
The Iowa Department of Transportation is in the early stages of planning for a modernized and revamped Interstate 480/Interstate 29/West Broadway interchange as part of the reconstruction of the Interstate system in Council Bluffs.

Officials hope construction on the interchange project will begin in 2020 and wrap up in 2024, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Exactly what the new interchange will look like has not been determined, but plans call for direct access to West Broadway from I-29, something that is not available now. Environmental studies are underway, with design alternatives being drawn up.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by MTO »

2020 to 2024 and I thought they were accelerating the timeline on this portion.
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skinzfan23
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

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

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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.
If you go back and read the first page of this thread, it says the "First portion of this project will start in 2008" which was the Missouri River Bridge. I am guessing if the south 24th street bridge was finished in 2001, it needed to be replaced anyways and was built large enough to accommodate I80 in the future.

That said, I think since 2008 they have done a lot.
-Build a new 6 lane bridge over a major river
-Rebuild an existing 6 lane bridge over a major river
-Levee work
-partially rebuild the west interchange including two very long bridges.
-start rebuilding the east interchange with high clearance bridges for a new railroad alignment
-grading for new railroad alignment

Not to mention many of these projects are in terrible soil conditions where they have done a lot of soil prep that nobody ever sees. Most of that east interchange is built on top of a swamp.
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Re: $700 million I-80/29 reconstruction project

Post by skinzfan23 »

You are right Brad, they have done a lot and I know that it is a huge undertaking. It just seems that 15 years is a long time for completion. Hopefully they build it properly and it won't need redone for another 50 years. There is no doubt the expanded lanes will be able to handle capacity.

I can say this...I am glad that for once they are investing heavily in the interstate in the state of Iowa's largest metro. It seemed like in the 80's and 90's, the only large construction projects were in the Des Moines area.
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