News Release

Hearing to discuss proposed four-lane improvement of
U.S. 20 in Calhoun and Webster counties
rescheduled for Dec. 12

AMES, Iowa – The proposed four-lane improvement of U.S. 20 in Calhoun and Webster counties will be discussed at a hearing Monday, Dec. 12. This is a reschedule of a hearing originally set for Nov. 15.  The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold the hearing in Iowa Central Community College 's Career Education Building , Room 108-110. The college is located at 330 Ave. M in Fort Dodge .  The public is invited to attend anytime between 5 and 6:30 p.m. 

The proposed improvement would begin west of Zearing Avenue and proceed east to U.S. 169.  The total length of the project is 11.6 miles. This project is part of the improvement of U.S. 20 from Early to Fort Dodge .

From the beginning of the project to the existing four-lane roadway at Moorland, the improvement provides for construction of a four-lane divided highway on relocated alignment.  From west of Zearing Avenue to George Avenue, four new lanes would be constructed approximately 0.5 mile south of and parallel to County Road D-26 (230th Street).  At George Avenue the alignment would curve northeast to tie into the existing four-lane segment of U.S. 20.  The completed facility would provide two 24-foot wide roadways with 6-foot wide inside and 10-foot wide outside shoulders and a grass median.  From Moorland to U.S. 169 the project would provide for acquisition of a strip of right-of-way along the north side of the existing four-lane roadway for future use as a utility easement and for modification of the ditch at various locations.

A new connection from D-26 to existing U.S. 20 would be constructed approximately 0.25 mile east of and parallel to George Avenue.  An interchange with relocated U.S. 20 would be constructed at this connection. George Avenue would be closed to through traffic.  Existing U.S. 20 would be removed from the new D-26 connection northeastward to the existing bridge over County Road D-20. Existing D-20 would be extended westerly to intersect the new connection. Existing D-20 would be closed just north of the existing U.S. 20 overpass and the roadway would be removed from that point northeast to 230th Street . The existing D-20/D-26/230th Street intersection would be removed and a new connection would be provided between D-26 and D-20 near the location of the previous intersection.  East of the existing D-20/ D-26 intersection, 230 th Street would be closed at the UP Railroad and would not connect directly to either D-20 or D-26.

A Union Pacific Railroad bridge would be constructed along the existing George Avenue alignment over relocated U.S. 20.  Dual bridges would be constructed on relocated U.S. 20 over the new D-26 connector. A new U. S. 20 bridge would be constructed adjacent to and north of the existing bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad east of Moorland.  Drainage structures would be constructed as necessary.  Left-turn lanes would be provided at all county road intersections.  Right-turn lanes may be constructed at selected paved county roads.

Access rights would be acquired for relocated U.S. 20 as part of this improvement.  Access would be allowed at county road intersections and by interchange only.  Traffic would be maintained on existing U.S. 20 during construction.

No formal presentation will be made at the hearing, but Iowa DOT staff members will be present with displays and related information to discuss the project informally with interested persons.

General information about the proposed project or the hearing is available from Tony Gustafson, assistant district 1 engineer, 1020 South Fourth Street , Ames , IA 50010 , telephone 800-899-0623 or 515-239-1430 or by E-mail at tony.gustafson@dot.iowa.gov .

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