Major Traffic Changes Coming to I-80/I-380 Interchange
Just when you start to get comfortable as you drive through the giant I-80/I-380 construction zone just west of Coralville, it changes again. Beginning with your Tuesday commute, a huge change is coming. The price of progress continues.
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, beginning at 11 p.m. Monday night, September 27 the I-80 westbound ramp to southbound Highway 218 is closing permanently. That closure will allow new bridges and roads to be built along I-80 and a new ramp that will be constructed.
During the ongoing construction, westbound traffic on I-80 will take a detour to exit 237 (Ireland Avenue--Tiffin exit). It will then crossover I-80 and take eastbound I-80 back to the U.S. 218 southbound ramp, which is Exit 239. Traffic signals are also being added at the ramp intersections of Ireland Avenue. This detour is expected to be in place until late in 2023 when the new ramp opens. Drivers should expect longer travel times and possible delays.
See the image below for a visual explanation.
Starting Tuesday morning, September 28, I-80 westbound to I-380 northbound (exit 239B) traffic will see a temporary exit ramp change. You'll actually make that exit a quarter of a mile east of the place you previously exited. This change is expected to be in effect for about two months.
Finally, weather permitting, from 11 p.m. Monday evening, September 27 through 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, September 28, I-80 westbound lanes will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to Exit 240 (the Coral Ridge Avenue Exit/Highway 965). The westbound ramps onto I-80 from Coral Ridge Avenue will be closed from 10 p.m. Monday, September 27 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, September 28. During this closure, traffic will be detoured north on Coral Ridge Avenue, and then west on Forevergreen Road to I-380.
*The map below shows the detour.