AMES, Iowa – Aug. 29, 2025 – Football season is kicking off, but construction and maintenance season is still in full swing across Iowa. With more than 250 current state projects and dozens more county projects detailed on the 511 Iowa Traveler Information Map, Iowans are experiencing work zones and detours across the state.
The Iowa Department of Transportation is working on several high-traffic volume projects that could impact travel and urges Iowans to get their Labor Day and gameday plans ready.
In central Iowa, multiple improvements are underway at Des Moines’ I-35 Douglas Avenue and Hickman Road exchanges. On I-35 between Ankeny and Huxley, crews are working to build a series of new bridges over the interstate and add a third lane in each direction. Other key projects in the area include work in Ames on U.S. 30 between Duff Avenue and Dayton Avenue. If traveling on U.S. 69 on the south side of Huxley, motorists should be aware that the work zone includes a segment of single-lane traffic.
In eastern Iowa, several construction work zones exist on I-380 between North Liberty and Cedar Rapids and at Boyson Road in Hiawatha. A work zone on I-80 near West Branch may also slow traffic down.
While the Iowa DOT and its contractors are working hard to minimize traffic impacts during peak travel times, travels throughout the state, and through major work zones, may require extra time. Fans should know that gameday traffic this football season whether it’s high school or college communities could cause additional delays both before and after games. Work zones often include narrow lanes, reduced speeds, intermittent closures, and changing patterns as work progresses.
How to Prepare for Labor Day Weekend and Football Travel:
- Check the 511 Iowa Traveler Information Map to see the latest work zone information.
- See the Iowa DOT’s Major Construction Projects webpage.
- Visit Des Moines Area Interstate Projects for detailed project information, follow the DSM Interstates Facebook page, and sign up for email updates.
- Plan ahead and allow for extra time to reach your destination.
- Be prepared for work zone delays and follow posted speed limits. Remember, someone’s family member is doing their job just feet away from you.
- Be extra attentive and alert in work zones where there could be narrow lanes, bumper-to-bumper traffic, reduced speeds, intermittent closures, and changing patterns as work progresses.
- Be flexible and allow extra time for unexpected impacts such as crashes, extra gameday traffic, rush hour, etc.
- Help Iowa DOT to minimize the risk of potential impacts by following the speed limit, not driving distracted, and planning for sober drivers.
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/#login 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 on central Iowa projects, contact Frank Leong, Grimes construction office, at 515-986-2863 or frank.leong@iowadot.us. In eastern Iowa, contact Danielle Alvarez in the Cedar Rapids District 6 Office at 319-364-0235 or Danielle.Alvarez@iowadot.us.