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More lanes to come for Interstate 35

More lanes to come for Interstate 35
WHAT鈥橲 AHEAD. THIS BRIDGE BEHIND ME IS THE FIRST DOMINO TO FALL IN EFFORTS TO MAKE THE DRIVE BETWEEN ANKENY AND AMES LESS CONGESTED. REPLACING THE BRIDGE AT THE ELKHART EXIT WILL START THE PROCESS OF WIDENING INTERSTATE 35 5 TO 3 LANES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. I鈥橵E BEEN THINKING ABOUT THAT MYSELF FOR PROBABLY THE LAST 1015 YEARS. CHRIS HATFIELD HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS STRETCH BETWEEN ANKENY AND AMES FOR YEARS. HE WELCOMES THE ROMANS STRUCTION THAT COULD EVENTUALLY BRING HIM SOME RELIEF. HAVING THREE LANES OBVIOUSLY IS LESS CONGESTED. YOU GOT MORE AREA TO AVOID. YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO HITS A SLICK SPOT OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE. AND WHEN THEY DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THERE鈥橲 TWO LANES VERY DOWN TO ONE LANE THAT REALLY BACKS THINGS UP. SO THE EXTRA LANE WOULD HELP WITH THE FLOW. THE IOWA DOT SAYS THIS PHASE OF THE WIDENING PROCESS WILL STRETCH FROM ANKENY TO JUST NORTH OF HUDSON. IT鈥橪L TAKE 3 TO 4 YEARS AND COST $150 MILLION. THE D.O.T. SAYS THIS WILL CUT DOWN ON ROAD MAINTENANCE AND MAKE ROOM FOR MORE DRIVERS AS CENTRAL IOWA GROWS. LOUIS GALLOWAY DRIVES THIS STRETCH AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. HE SAYS ANOTHER LANE ADDS AN EXTRA LEVEL OF SAFETY. I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT AS ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, YOU KNOW, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THIS IS REALLY ICY WHEN IT鈥橲 DOWN TO ONE LANE. IT鈥橲 TREACHEROUS, DANGEROUS. SO I THINK THREE LANES ON EITHER SIDE WOULD REALLY ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT. AS FOR WHEN THE ENTIRE AMES TO THE MOINES STRETCH WILL BE SIX LANES, THE DOT DOES NOT HAVE AN END DATE JUST YET. IN ANKENY MARC
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Updated: 6:18 PM CDT Mar 24, 2023
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More lanes to come for Interstate 35
糖心vlog logo
Updated: 6:18 PM CDT Mar 24, 2023
Editorial Standards 鈸�
It may be a few years down the road, but the Iowa Department of Transportation will add a third lane of traffic in both directions on I-35 between Ankeny and Ames."I've been thinking that myself for the last 10 to 15 years," said Chris Hatfield, who drives I-35 almost daily.The DOT says it is necessary because it will cut down on maintenance and make more room for more drivers as central Iowa grows.The process starts with the reconstruction of the bridge at the Elkhart exit over I-35.The first phase is five years and $150 million to add three lanes in each direction from Ankeny to just north of Huxley."Having three lanes is less congested, " Hatfield said.As for the northern section, Huxley to Ames, the DOT does not have a timeline for that part of the project.Click below to see more from Marcus McIntosh:

It may be a few years down the road, but the Iowa Department of Transportation will add a third lane of traffic in both directions on I-35 between Ankeny and Ames.

"I've been thinking that myself for the last 10 to 15 years," said Chris Hatfield, who drives I-35 almost daily.

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The DOT says it is necessary because it will cut down on maintenance and make more room for more drivers as central Iowa grows.

The process starts with the reconstruction of the bridge at the Elkhart exit over I-35.

The first phase is five years and $150 million to add three lanes in each direction from Ankeny to just north of Huxley.

"Having three lanes is less congested, " Hatfield said.

As for the northern section, Huxley to Ames, the DOT does not have a timeline for that part of the project.

Click below to see more from Marcus McIntosh: