Sioux City, Iowa – April 1, 2025 – If you drive on U.S. 75 near Merrill you need to be aware of upcoming construction work that may slow down your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office.
In partnership with BNSF, the Iowa DOT will be closing U.S. 75 in both directions at the BNSF railroad crossing south of Merrill to perform work starting on Monday, April 7, weather permitting. The full closure will last for 12 days.
The closure of U.S. 75 will allow crews from BNSF and the Iowa DOT to safely perform work around the crossing. BNSF crews will work on replacing the railroad crossing surface and the Iowa DOT will start the pavement replacement of U.S. 75 at the crossing.
Access for local traffic will remain in place. You will follow one of the separate, marked detour routes for north- and southbound traffic on U.S. 75 (see map).
Northbound U.S. 75: In Hinton you will travel east on Plymouth County Road C-60, north on Plymouth County Road K-49, then west on Plymouth County Road C-38 to reach U.S. 75.
Southbound U.S. 75: In Merrill you will travel west on Main Street, then south on 3rd Street/Iowa 470 to reach U.S. 75.
After Friday, April 18, the first stages of the U.S. 75 southbound reconstruction from Hinton to Merrill will begin. This will include concrete paving and grading, bridge removals, and culvert extensions. Northbound and southbound U.S. 75 traffic will be in a head-to-head pattern in the northbound U.S. 75 lanes. Weather permitting, the project will be completed for the winter shutdown in mid-November and will carry over into 2026. This will be the last of six phases for U.S. 75 reconstruction which started in 2017.
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.
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For general information about this closure, please contact Sarah Tracy, District 3 transportation planner, at 712-274-5831 or sarah.tracy@iowadot.us.