Floyd interchange still on Iowa DOT schedule, but cost estimate increases

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A new elevated interchange at the Avenue of the Saints intersection in Floyd is still on the same schedule for completion in the next couple of years, according to the latest proposed Iowa Department of Transportation five-year plan.

But the estimated price tag has increased by almost $1.6 million.

The interchange, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 18/Iowa 27 and U.S. 218 has been the scene of several severe accidents over the years, including fatalities.

The Iowa DOT several years ago placed a construction project on its schedule to replace the current at-grade intersection with an elevated interchange with on-ramps and off-ramps. It would also close several other at-grade intersections east and west of that intersection.

Originally estimated to cost $20.7 million, the pricetag is now estimated at $22.3 million.

The main differences are a reduction of almost $300,000 in the estimated cost of constructing the bridge, but an increase of almost $1.9 million in the estimated cost of grading and paving.

The schedule is:

• 2020-21 – right of way purchase, $1 million.
• 2021-22 – new bridge, $2.552 million; grading and paving, $18.056 million; lighting, $64,000; traffic signs, $125,000; and mitigation, $50,000.
• 2022-23 – erosion control, $436,000.

The new cost and schedule are listed in the Draft Fiscal Years 2021-2025 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program that was presented to the Iowa Transportation Commission at a meeting Tuesday.

The commission is currently scheduled to consider approval of the program at its next monthly meeting to be held June 9.

According to a report from the Iowa DOT, a major component of the plan is the highway program that shows about $3.6 billion expected to be spent in the next five years for primary highway right of way and construction.

Approximately 55 percent of the $3.6 billion program is being invested in rural areas, the report said.

Significant across-the-board construction cost increases that were seen last year caused the department to revise cost estimates for projects in the program, including the Floyd interchange.

As a result of the expected cost increase, a few of the projects were delayed by one year, but no projects were removed completely, the Iowa DOT said.

“State road funding is anticipated to drop over the next several months due to travel and vehicle sales reductions as a result of COVID-19 impacts,” the Iowa DOT said. The draft five-year plan was based on pre-COVID-19 funding forecasts, and could be adjusted as more is learned about state and federal funding effects.

More than $2 billion is planned from fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025 for updating existing highways and for enhanced highway safety features, the report said.

More than $1.1 billion is included for repairs to state-owned bridges.

“Over the last few years, the number of structurally deficient bridges on the state highway system has been reduced from 256 in 2006 to 39 in 2019 as a result of the commission’s emphasis to improve the condition of Iowa’s bridges,” the report said.