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Welcome to the Des Moines Interstates page by the Iowa Department of Transportation.

On this page, we'll be sharing information about interstate construction projects in and around the Des Moines metro area. Welcome to the Des Moines Interstate Projects page by the Iowa Department of Transportation. On this page, we'll share information related to projects on the interstate system in and around the Des Moines metro area.

10/15/2026

🚧 Just a reminder to avoid southbound I-35/westbound I-80 between the Northeast Mixmaster and Merle Hay Road this weekend while we make some repairs to the Saylor Creek bridge. Our closure starts at 9pm on Friday 10/16 and runs continuously through Monday 10/19 at 5am. Two lanes of traffic plus all WB/SB ramps at the Mixmaster, US 69/14th St, and IA 415/2nd St will be closed!

10/13/2026

🤔 Have you been wondering what is happening with the Southwest Mixmaster construction and how it will impact you? Well, that's a great question and we'd love to talk with you about it! We will be holding an open house-type meeting on Tuesday October 20th. Everyone is welcome to stop by between 10am-2pm to come talk with DOT staff to find out more about the project. The open house will be held at the Iowa Farm Bureau’s campus, located at 5400 University Avenue in West Des Moines.

Traffic disruptions in 2026 will be minimal. Beginning in the spring 2027, construction will impact several ramps (at University Ave and the Mixmaster itself) and travel movements. Construction is expected to last through the end of 2029.

If you are not able to join us in person, you can visit our website at https://iowadot.gov/modes-travel/roads-highways/major-construction-projects/des-moines-area-interstate-projects/southwest-mixmaster-construction. We will be posting all flyers/maps/displays from the meeting on this website too so if you aren't able to join us, feel free to check that out after October 20th.

10/09/2026

🚧 We have a big closure coming up this weekend on westbound I-80/southbound I-35 so we can make some repairs to the Saylor Creek bridge. All the WB/SB entrance ramps at the mixmaster, US 69, and IA 415 will be closed and there will only be ONE LANE open on WB I-80/SB I-35 🫣 This starts at 9pm on Friday 10/16 and will continue through Monday 10/19 at 5am. This is not an overnight-only closure; it will be continuous throughout the Friday-Monday time period.

So if you’re traveling to your Beach job, your Dream House/Mojo Dojo Casa House, or between dimensions, please avoid the area and use I-235 or the US 65/IA 5 bypass (or any other route you can find). Even though there is a lane open, we do not recommend trying to get through there. Back-ups are 💯 guaranteed.

Press Release: https://iowadot.gov/news/2026-10-09/westbound-i-3580-closures-des-moines-begin-oct-16-saylor-creek-bridge-repairs

09/23/2026

Over the last few weeks, the I-35 widening project between Ankeny and Huxley has started paving of the new northbound I-35 lanes! Back in July, we had most of the old pavement removed and were starting the grading and placement of the base materials. Fun fact- the old pavement gets recycled right on site and reused as part of the base for the new pavement. Saving money AND the environment is such a flex 🤩

And despite all the rain we've had this month, the new northbound lanes are still on track to be opened to traffic by the end of the year.

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.

Address

800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA
50010

Telephone

+15152391635

Website

https://iowadot.gov/dsminterstates

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