AMES, Iowa – November 17, 2025 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is announcing the temporary closure of the undeveloped rest area at mile marker 51 on southbound Interstate 35 in Warren County beginning Nov. 19, 2025.
The rest area is used mostly by commercial motor carriers. Because the ramp from the rest area to I-35 is on an incline, large vehicles often have trouble getting traction to merge onto I-35 during winter weather, causing a dangerous situation on the roadway.
The rest area is expected to reopen in April 2026.
The next available rest areas in the southbound I-35 lanes are located at mile markers 32, 31, and 7.
To see Iowa rest areas, visit: Rest Areas | Department of Transportation
Watch www.511ia.org for the exact time of the closure on Nov. 19.
#
Contact: David Bollenbaugh at 515-239-1680 or david.bollenbaugh@iowadot.us