Starting this week and running for ten days, the interchange of Highway 141 and Interstate 80/35 will be less accessible.

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports that on Friday, October 11th, all exit ramps from the interstate to the highway will be closed for construction. Additionally, westbound Highway 141 will be reduced to a single lane between the interstate and 37th Street in Grimes. Detours will be in place, though with traffic congestion in the Grimes and Urbandale area expected to be severe, the DOT recommends finding alternative routes from the interstate to northern Polk and Dallas counties. Officials also point out, the on-ramps from Highway 141 to the interstate will remain open. This phase of construction is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. on Monday, October 21st, at which time the exit ramps will reopen.

The traffic disruption is related to the construction of the new “Urban Loop,” which the DOT says will greatly improve the flow of vehicles in one of the most consistently congested areas of the Des Moines Metro. For a map of the detour routes, click the link below.

https://www.news.iowadot.gov/files/urban-loop-ramp-closure-detour.pdf