Floyd interchange opening begins Monday

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The new elevated Avenue of the Saints interchange south of Floyd will begin to open Monday afternoon, signaling the near end of two years of construction and altered traffic patterns, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Traffic driving west from Charles City will be switched to the new outside westbound lanes and will be able to use the westbound ramps by Monday afternoon.

The traffic signals at the the eastbound ramp intersection with County Road T-44 that have been used all summer will be switched to flashing red, the Iowa DOT said, adding, “If you are traveling east, you will still use the eastbound ramps and lanes on Monday.”

“On Tuesday, Nov. 21, if you are driving east, you will be able to use the outside lane by early afternoon. The eastbound ramps will be only used for eastbound traffic and the temporary signals will be shut off.

The intersection of US 18/US 218/Iowa 27 east and west, with 218/Monroe Street headed north through Floyd and County Road T44/Quarry Avenue headed south from Floyd, has been under construction since April 2022.

Last year the eastbound lanes were merged with the westbound lanes in head-on traffic so the eastbound bridge and ramps could be built. This year the westbound lanes were merged with the new eastbound lanes so the westbound bridge and ramps could be built.

The Floyd intersection had been at grade level since the Avenue of the Saints had been built in 1999, and over the years it had been the site of many accidents, including fatalities.

In 2017 the Iowa Department of Transportation approved constructing an elevated interchange at the site, at a cost of about $25 million.

A statement from the Iowa DOT asked travelers to “help keep everyone on the road safer.”

“Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts,” the statement said.

The latest traveler information is available through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to mobile devices.