MASON CITY, Iowa – Feb 14, 2013 – Travelers on Interstate 380 between U.S. 20 and River Forest Road in Waterloo will once again notice signs of another change coming this spring.
Last year the Iowa Department of Transportation reconstructed the southbound I-380 lanes in this area. This year, the Iowa DOT is planning to reconstruct this 6.68-mile section of northbound I-380 beginning this spring. At that time, traffic will be switched from the northbound lanes into the southbound lanes. (Note: While I-380 runs east and west at this location, the entire route runs north and south, so the road designation remains 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.
Emergency detour signs remain in place 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 reconstruction, commuters are encouraged to consider using an alternate route to avoid possible delays. Many drivers took this advice during the reconstruction of the southbound lanes last year, making things go much more smoothly for the contractor and those traveling along this corridor.
The Iowa DOT will be providing regular updates on the construction process, through news releases, as well as the project Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IowaDOTI380 and the project web page at www.iowadot.gov/i380.