I-80/I-35 in Iowa to Close for Road Construction

I-80/I-35 in Iowa to close for road construction: Find out when, where, and how this major highway shutdown will affect your route.

It always starts the same way… you’re halfway through your morning coffee, trying to beat the rush, and suddenly your GPS flashes that dreaded message: “I-80/I-35 closed for construction.” These infrastructure projects, while necessary, underscore the need for better planning and development strategies to keep communities and businesses moving smoothly.

If you’ve ever driven across Iowa… through Des Moines, West Des Moines, Clive, or Ankeny… you know that this isn’t just another stretch of road. This intersection is the heart of everything. It’s where the state’s two biggest arteries cross, carrying families, freight, and everyone in between.

And now, that heart’s about to get torn open for a while… all in the name of progress.

The Crossroads That Keeps Iowa Moving

Here’s what you need to know before diving into frustration mode.

I-80 runs east to west, slicing across the entire U.S. from California to New Jersey. I-35 runs north to south, connecting Minnesota to Texas. And right in the middle… smack in the center of it all… they meet in Iowa.

It’s like the state’s main intersection, the crossroads of the Midwest.

When something shuts down there, it’s not just about traffic delays. It’s about supply chains, delivery routes, weekend trips, and even your local gas station’s sudden rush of travelers.

According to state estimates, around 85,000 vehicles move through that interchange daily. And every one of them is about to feel the pinch.

What’s Actually Happening

Okay, so what’s the deal?

The Iowa Department of Transportation is launching a massive reconstruction project around the I-80/I-35 interchange near West Des Moines. It’s not just a few potholes or resurfacing… it’s a full redesign.

They’re rebuilding bridges, expanding lanes, fixing drainage systems, and realigning ramps that were originally built decades ago for traffic volumes that no longer make sense.

It’s happening in phases… which is just a polite way of saying it’ll feel like chaos, but in smaller doses. Expect lane closures, weekend shutdowns, and some nighttime detours that might catch you off guard if you’re not checking your route.

It’s a lot, but the logic makes sense. The goal is a safer, smoother, and faster interchange that won’t need this level of surgery again for decades.

Why It’s Happening Now

You’re probably wondering… why not wait? Why do this now when there are already so many projects everywhere?

Because sometimes waiting breaks things worse.

Iowa’s been dealing with heavier trucks, more freight traffic, and wild weather swings that chew through asphalt faster than before. Every year the DOT pushed this project off, the roads got weaker, and the cost of repair got higher.

This is a “do it now before it breaks later” move. It’s like fixing your roof before the storm hits instead of patching it in the rain.

So yeah, the timing might feel inconvenient, but it’s better than an unplanned collapse or emergency shutdown that drags on for months.

What It Means for You (and Everyone Else)

Let’s be honest… this isn’t just about highways. It’s about how it changes your everyday life.

If you live around Des Moines, Clive, or Ankeny, your daily routine is about to shift. That 10-minute drive to work might take 35. Your go-to exit might suddenly be blocked. And those shortcuts you swear by? They’ll be filled with people just like you, all thinking the same thing.

One commuter I talked to put it perfectly: “It’s not the traffic that kills me… it’s the not knowing which lane’s open tomorrow.”

You’ll start to notice patterns though… the same cars next to you every morning… the same frustrated wave at the same red light. It becomes this odd shared experience… all of us crawling through progress together.

How to Handle the I-80/I-35 Closure Without Losing It

You can’t stop the construction, but you can plan around it. Here’s how to make it a little less painful:

1. Check real-time updates. Use GPS apps that pull data from the DOT so you know which lanes are open before you leave.
2. Add a buffer. Give yourself an extra 20–30 minutes. It’s better to sip coffee in the parking lot than to panic in a jam.
3. Know the bad times. Weekend and late-night closures are the worst. Try to travel outside those windows if you can.
4. Use alternate routes. Hickman Road or Highway 141 might save you more time than you think.
5. Stay calm. The road isn’t forever broken… it’s just in a messy phase.

You can’t rush progress, but you can make it less stressful by knowing what’s coming.

Before and After Construction

It’s kind of like comparing a flip phone to a smartphone. Same purpose, totally different experience.

The Bigger Picture

What’s happening here isn’t just a local headache… it’s part of a much larger plan to rebuild Iowa’s road system from the ground up.

A lot of the state’s highways and bridges were built before modern freight loads and climate patterns existed. They weren’t designed for what’s rolling across them today.

So while this closure feels frustrating now, it’s actually a sign that Iowa’s trying to catch up to the future. The focus isn’t just fixing what’s broken… it’s building something that can last another 40 years or more.

In a weird way, every detour is part of a bigger reset.

What It Means for Truckers

If you’re driving a rig through Iowa, this isn’t a minor inconvenience… it’s a logistical mess.

I-80 and I-35 are major freight routes. When one narrows, detours ripple across states. Rerouting means more miles, more fuel, and more delays. Some drivers will take Highway 30 or 34 just to dodge the mess… but that puts new pressure on smaller roads.

Every hour of delay costs money. But when this is all over, it’ll be worth it. Fewer bottlenecks. Smoother merges. Less stress behind the wheel.

In the long run, this project’s about making those hauls easier, faster, and safer.

What Other States Learned

Iowa’s not the first to take on a project like this. States like Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois have all gone through their own massive highway reconstructions. And you know what they learned?

• Close early… finish faster. Partial closures drag things out longer.
• Keep people updated. The more you tell drivers, the less they panic.
• Build at night. It’s noisy, but it saves commuters from daily gridlock.

Iowa seems to be following that pattern. The communication is better than before, updates are frequent, and people are at least getting warned instead of surprised.

Still, it doesn’t make it any easier when you hit that sea of orange cones in real life.

When It’ll Be Over

The million-dollar question… when does it all end?

As of now, the main construction is expected to wrap up by late 2025, with finishing touches possibly stretching into early 2026. Of course, that’s if Iowa’s winters don’t throw a tantrum.

So yeah, it’s going to take a while. But when it’s done, you’ll feel it immediately ;  fewer slowdowns, better exits, smoother rides.

It’s one of those projects that tests your patience but pays off in everyday comfort later.

A Moment to Reflect

Sitting in traffic gives you time to think… maybe too much time. But maybe that’s part of the point.

We live in a world that’s constantly under construction ;  roads, routines, even us. Sometimes you’ve got to tear things up to build something better.

So next time you’re inching along I-80 or I-35, try to see it differently. You’re not stuck… you’re just moving through a rebuild ;  one that’s going to make everything stronger.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the I-80/I-35 closure happen? It’ll roll out in phases through 2025, with most closures happening on weekends and nights.

Which areas are affected most? West Des Moines, Clive, and nearby suburbs like Urbandale and Ankeny will see the heaviest detour traffic.

Will both highways shut down completely? Not at the same time. Crews will alternate between sections to keep at least one direction flowing.

How can I check what’s open? Use your GPS or traffic apps that pull from Iowa’s road sensors. They update almost instantly.

Is this part of a bigger plan? Yes. It’s a core piece of Iowa’s long-term infrastructure upgrade, aimed at safer, stronger highways statewide.

Key Takings

• I-80/I-35 in Iowa will close in phases through 2025 for major reconstruction.
• The project modernizes the interchange near West Des Moines for long-term safety and smoother traffic flow.
• Expect detours, lane closures, and slower commutes, especially on weekends.
• Truckers and daily drivers alike will face temporary frustration but long-term benefits.
• The closure is part of a statewide effort to rebuild Iowa’s outdated road infrastructure.
• Once complete, the interchange will handle more vehicles safely and efficiently.
• It’s inconvenient now… but it’s progress in motion.

Additional Resources

1. Federal Highway Administration, Infrastructure Projects Overview: Learn how major road rebuilds across the U.S. are shaping future travel and commerce.