Iowa DOT Has Big Changes Planned For I-80/1st Avenue in Coralville [IMAGES]

When you look at the current aerial view of I-80 and 1st Avenue in Coralville above, it's pretty simple. There's not a lot going on there, as far as traffic patterns are concerned. However, as you look at all the new construction in the area, including Xtream Arena and University of Iowa Healthcare in the Iowa River Landing, the amount of traffic continues to increase. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has developed a plan to address those concerns for years to come.

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As the massive I-80/I-380 interchange work continues, the IDOT plans a two-year road and bridge project to completely redo the 1st Avenue and I-80 interchange, with work scheduled to start in the fall of 2022. The plan also includes a new pedestrian bridge over I-80 along with reconstruction of the trail. A third year of work would wrap up landscaping, along with erosion control, and trail work.

The proposed changes would include what's called a diverging diamond interchange. The video below shows how to navigate that type of interchange.

You can view an online meeting from the IDOT to explain the plan HERE. If you'd like to submit a comment on the project, you can do that HERE. The deadline to do so is May 27.

You can see more information on the Iowa Department of Transportation's construction plan HERE. Below are renderings of plans and what the project would look like when completed.