24th Street Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the 24th Street bridge over Interstates 29 and 80 (I-29/I-80) is the first construction project of the Council Bluffs Interstate System (CBIS) improvements project. The bridge reconstruction will make it longer in preparation for full reconstruction of the I-29/I-80 overlap section. The longer bridge will allow the future I-29/I-80 lanes to pass underneath the bridge. In addition to the bridge reconstruction, the project includes reconstruction of 24th Street from just south of 27th Avenue to the I-29/I-80 eastbound ramp intersection.

The contract letting for the 24th Street project is scheduled for the fall 2007 and completion is anticipated for the fall 2008. Upon completion, 24th Street will include two through lanes in each direction and accommodation for left-turn lanes at the interstate on-ramps.

Pedestrian access will be available on both sides of the 24th Street bridge. A multi-use trail will be constructed on the west side of 24th Street and a sidewalk on the east side. The graphic below shows the proposed design for the 24th Street improvements.

Reconstruction of the 24th Street bridge will be in four stages: 

• Preparation Stage: This is the initial construction preparation including strengthening ramp shoulders and adding temporary pavement along 24th Street and at ramp intersections to provide for shifting traffic in subsequent stages. In addition, new pavement will be constructed to shift I-29/I-80 westbound traffic toward the median to accommodate the new pier for the 24th Street bridge.
• Stage 1: The new lanes for the southbound 24th Street traffic will be constructed. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction (with left-turn lanes) and will shift to the existing northbound lanes.
• Stage 2: The new lanes for the northbound 24th Street traffic will be constructed. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction (with left-turn lanes) and will shift to the new southbound lanes. 
• Stage 3: The 24th Street bridge's median section will be constructed.  Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction (with left-turn lanes).

During construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and left-turn lanes will be open along 24th Street.

Construction activities will require some overnight closures of I-29/I-80 throughout the duration of the project. During these closures, the redirection of interstate traffic will be onto the 24th Street ramps. Portable electronic message signs will be used to divert interstate traffic around the construction area along the I-29 and I-80 corridors.

In addition, 24th Street will be closed overnight during Stage 3 to complete the bridge's median section.

For more information on 24th Street construction, see Construction.

The 24th Street bridge will include aesthetic enhancements to improve the visual appeal of the bridge and create a signature entrance to Council Bluffs. The aesthetic enhancements for the 24th Street bridge and the entire CBIS corridor is discussed in further detail on the Aesthetics page.

Click here to download a PDF (0.8 Mb) with a larger image of the 24th Street reconstruction. 

Click here to see the current construction page for the 24th Street bridge!