MASON CITY, Iowa – Jan. 19, 2012 – Travelers on Interstate 380 between U.S. 20 and River Forest Road in Waterloo will be noticing signs of a change coming this spring.
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is planning to reconstruct this 6.49-mile section of southbound I-380 beginning in April. At that time, the northbound lanes will be patched and preparations made to switch all traffic into those lanes. (Note: While I-380 runs east and west at this location, the entire route runs north and south, so the road designation remains a north- and southbound.)
Originally constructed in 1984, the pavement is deteriorating mainly along joints in the highway. The condition of the highway calls for a complete reconstruction.
The Iowa DOT has started preparing for the project by placing emergency detour signs north of the project along Dubuque Road and south of the project along U.S. 218. These routes will only be used if a crash or other incident blocks traffic during the reconstruction.
Although traffic along the route will be maintained on a reduced number of lanes during construction, commuters may want to consider using an alternate route during reconstruction to avoid possible delays.
