DSMInterstates

08/28/2026

🙉 We know you may not want to hear it, but we have construction on another big interstate project kicking off next week. It's good news though because we'll be replacing the southbound to eastbound loop ramp at the Southwest Mixmaster with a flyover bridge! 🥳

You will see some temporary barrier rail (TBR) being placed in the area starting next week. This will allow the crews to begin working on paving some crossovers so we can start moving traffic around next spring. We are not expecting any impacts to traffic this year with this project. The two projects already under construction on I-35 and I-80, at the Hickman interchange and from Grand Prairie Parkway to the SW Mixmaster, will wrap up work on the interstate this year.

The new mixmaster project contains several other improvements in addition to removing the loop ramp. We will also be reconstructing the southbound to westbound ramp, bringing it over the I-235 traffic to land on the inside of I-80. Most travelers coming from I-235 want to exit at Jordan Creek and people headed west on I-80 want to stay on I-80. This change will eliminate much of the weaving that happens now. The southbound entrance ramp at University will only connect to I-35 when the project is completed. It will no longer connect to I-80 or I-235 which will improve safety in the area with less conflicting movements. We will also be adding lanes on I-235.

This is a big project ($140+ million) that will last through the end of 2029. We will be keeping traffic open on the mainline but you can expect ramp closures and traffic shifts during the construction period.

A diagram with the timing is in the comments below. For a full description of the project, please visit our website: https://iowadot.gov/modes-travel/roads-highways/major-construction-projects/des-moines-area-interstate-projects/southwest-mixmaster-construction

08/26/2026

🏗️ Beams for the I-35/80 bridge carrying traffic on the inside lanes over Hickman Road were placed last week. The beams were set over 4 nights- these photos were all taken on the second night. The crews will continue to work on pouring the bridge deck in the next 2-3 weeks and have that completed by the end of September or possibly early October, depending on the weather. That still leaves barriers, pavement markings, and a few other details so we can get traffic on the lanes later this fall!

08/24/2026

🚨TONIGHT: Overnight Closures of I-35/I-80 scheduled for August 24th 2026

GRIMES, Iowa – August 24th – If you drive on Interstate 35/80 between the Southwest Mixmaster and Iowa 141 you need to be aware of overnight road closures that may slow down your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Grimes Construction office.

To perform emergency repair work on I-35/80, the following closures are planned:

• Southbound & Northbound I-35/Westbound & Eastbound I-80 will be closed to traffic on Monday, August 24th at 9pm. The closure is expected to last until 5am on August 25th.

Visit the Iowa DOT website at https://iowadot.gov/dsminterstates/Hickman-Road-Interchange/Hickman-Road-Interchange-Construction for additional information about construction at the U.S. 6/Hickman Road interchange.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/iowa-511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive email/text alerts. Visit https://new.511ia.org/ to sign up. For instructions and help with this feature, visit https://www.511ia.org/help/section/how-to-create-and-manage-a-511-account.html.
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For general questions about this project contact Kasi Province, Grimes construction office, at 515-986-2863 or [email protected].

08/21/2026

The roundabout on US 169 in Adel has opened! 🥳

08/17/2026

We've got pavement going down at the Hickman project today! The new inside lanes of I-35/80 are starting to take shape- check it out 👀

Also a reminder that Hickman Rd under the interstate will be closed overnight starting tonight (Monday 8/17) at 9pm. It will reopen tomorrow morning by 5am. This will repeat for the next 3 nights while beams are placed over Hickman Road. You can still use the interchange ramps at Hickman but they are essentially a right-in, right-out only configuration. For more information, see press release here: https://iowadot.gov/news/2026-08-07/update-overnight-closures-us-6hickman-road-now-scheduled-aug-17-21

08/15/2026

We seem to be having a little problem with the asphalt staying put right at the transition from eastbound I-235 to eastbound I-80. We filled the pothole last night and this morning it's already popped out again. Our maintenance crews are going to close EB I-80 tomorrow night (Sunday 8/16) to do a more permanent fix. The ramps will be closing at 9pm and then the mainline interstate will close at 10pm. Everything will be open by 5am the following morning.

Please use the detour route shown here.

08/04/2026

Dust off your running shoes and get those bikes ready to ride again - the Greenbelt Trail in Clive has reopened under the interstate! 🚴‍♀️👟

Thank you for your patience while we widened the bridges above the trail. We understand the closure wasn't popular but it was important for everyone's safety.

07/23/2026

A full closure of westbound I-80 between Van Meter and De Soto was scheduled for tonight (Thurs 7/23) but it has been modified. They were able to shorten up the detour and the plan is now to get everyone off and back on westbound I-80 at the Van Meter interchange (Exit 113). This closure will start at 9pm and end at 5am. Expect it to slow your travels down a bit, but it should flow better than the last two nights' detours while this stretch of I-80 was closed.

See 511IA for more info- https://www.511ia.org/map/event/IADOT-23568706046WB/@-93.95735,41.54705,17?show=iowaAppRoadwork,future

07/22/2026

We have one lane closure and one full closure coming up in the next few days on IA 415.

On Thursday July 23, IA 415 between the Kwik Star and Fareway in Polk City will be down to a single lane between 9am-3pm. Traffic will alternate use of the open lane via traffic signals. Crews will be working on a traffic counter we have installed in the area.

On Monday July 27 beginning at 8pm, IA 415 will be closed between Beaver Dr/NW 106th and NW 110th until 8pm on Tuesday July 28. Traffic will be detoured on 106th and 110th around the closure. The closure is needed so crews can work on the State of Iowa's training center under construction on the southeasterly side of IA 415.

07/22/2026

Please note that there are several corridors around the metro where the speed limit has not changed. These are primarily high-speed corridors with traffic signals and/or known safety issues. The list below is a few corridors that have not changed. The list is just the main state highways closest to the metro and is not a full list; please obey the posted signs you see while driving.

🚗 IA 44 between Grimes and Dallas Center
🚗 IA 415 from Ankeny to IA 141
🚗 US 69 from north end of Ankeny to NE 126th Ave/72nd Street
🚗 4 lane facilities like IA 141 (near Grimes/Johnston/Granger) and IA 163 (near Pleasant Hill) were not part of the recent speed limit change.

The Iowa DOT has updated more than 1,200 signs to the new default 60 mph speed limit since July 1! But if your road hasn’t changed, please obey the posted speed limit. We have a statewide crash prediction system that shows some roads are too risky to change right away, but as we complete detailed reviews, you might see more 60 mph signs before the end of the year.

What does the DOT need to review?
Curves, driveway spacing, hills, traffic levels, wildlife crossings, slow-moving vehicles, crashes, and other risk factors.

• The Iowa DOT only handles US and IA numbered routes, like US 63 or IA 3.
• County roads are handled by the county engineer. Find your county engineer's contact info here: https://www.iowacountyroads.org/find-your-county-engineer

Please drive safely! Even if your road changed to 60 mph, be careful, especially at night and in bad weather.