Interstate 29 in Iowa

{{Infobox road

|state=IA

|route=29

|type=I

|map={{maplink-road|from=Interstate 29 in Iowa.map}}

|map_custom=yes

|map_notes=I-29 highlighted in red

|map_alt=I-29 follows the western border of Iowa

|length_mi=151.826

|length_ref={{IowaDOT|2010-09-08|year=2009}}

|established={{Start date|1958|10|01}}{{cite map|publisher=Iowa Department of Transportation|title=Completion Map of Interstate System|url=http://www.iowadot.gov/50thpages/pdf/interstatemap.pdf|access-date=September 8, 2010|date=January 1, 1982|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929182922/http://www.iowadot.gov/50thpages/pdf/interstatemap.pdf|archive-date=September 29, 2011}}

|history=Under construction 1958–1972

|tourist={{Jct|country=USA|LCT}}

|direction_a=South

|terminus_a={{Jct|state=MO|I|29}} near Hamburg

|junction={{plainlist|

{{Jct|state=IA|US|34|US|275}} near Glenwood
{{Jct|state=IA|US|275}} at Council Bluffs
{{jct|state=IA|I|80}} at Council Bluffs
{{Jct|state=IA|I|480|US|6}} at Council Bluffs
{{Jct|state=IA|I|680}} near Crescent
{{Jct|state=IA|I|880}} in Loveland
{{Jct|state=IA|US|30}} at Missouri Valley
{{Jct|state=IA|I|129|US|20|US|75}} at Sioux City
{{Jct|state=IA|US|77}} at Sioux City

}}

|direction_b=North

|terminus_b={{Jct|state=SD|I|29}} at Sioux City

|counties={{flatlist|

}}

|previous_type=IA

|previous_route=28

|next_type=US

|next_route=30

}}

In the US state of Iowa, Interstate 29 (I-29) is a north–south Interstate Highway which closely parallels the Missouri River. I-29 enters Iowa from Missouri near Hamburg and heads to the north-northwest through the Omaha–Council Bluffs and the Sioux City areas. It exits the state by crossing the Big Sioux River into South Dakota. For its entire distance through the state, I-29 runs on the flat land between the Missouri River and the Loess Hills, and is also part of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

I-29 was built in sections over a period of 15 years. When there was a shortage of male workers, female workers stepped in to build a {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} section near Missouri Valley. Between Council Bluffs and Sioux City, I-29 replaced U.S. Highway 75 (US 75) as the major route in western Iowa. As a result of I-29's creation, US 75 south of Sioux City was relocated into Nebraska.

Route description

I-29 enters Iowa south of Hamburg. The Interstate heads northwest, where it meets Iowa Highway 333 (Iowa 333) at a diamond interchange. From Hamburg, I-29 continues to the northwest for {{convert|7|mi|km|spell=in}} where it meets Iowa 2 {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} east of Nebraska City, Nebraska. North of the Iowa 2 interchange, the Interstate straightens out to the north; interchanges serving Percival, Thurman, and Bartlett are spaced out every {{convert|4.5|mi|km}}. At the US 34 interchange near Glenwood, I-29 is joined by US 275.

File:Loess hills.jpg

North of Glenwood, I-29/US 275 continue north toward Council Bluffs. Near Lake Manawa, US 275 splits away from I-29 at the Iowa 92 interchange. The Interstate meets I-80 {{Convert|0.75|mi|km}} north of the split. The two Interstates head west together through southern Council Bluffs for {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} on separate carriageways. Just before I-80 crosses the Missouri River into Nebraska, I-29 immediately turns to the north. {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=In}} to the north is a modified Y interchange with US 6 and the eastern end of I-480.

North of Council Bluffs, I-29 passes the eastern terminus of I-680 near Crescent. I-29 travels north for {{convert|9|mi|km|spell=in}} before intersecting with the western terminus of I-880 near Loveland. I-29 continues north for {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} to Missouri Valley, where it intersects US 30. North of Missouri Valley, the Interstate turns to the northwest toward Modale and then straightens out again south of Mondamin, where I-29 meets the western end of Iowa 127. From Mondamin, it travels north for {{convert|23|mi|km}} to the Iowa 175 interchange at Onawa, passing Little Sioux and Blencoe.{{AASHTO minutes |year = 2019A |access-date = October 9, 2019 |link = yes }}

File:I-29 Sioux City from Sgt Floyd Monument.jpg

North of Onawa, I-29 continues northwest for {{convert|15|mi|km}} toward Sloan, where it meets the western end of Iowa 141. As it approaches the Sioux City metro area, it passes the Sioux Gateway Airport at Sergeant Bluff. At the Singing Hills Boulevard interchange, northbound is joined by southbound U.S. Highway 75 Business (US 75 Bus.). {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=In}} later, US 75 Bus. ends at the cloverleaf interchange with US 20/US 75, which is also the eastern end of I-129.

For the next {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} north of the I-129 interchange, I-29 runs closely, as close as {{convert|200|ft|m}}, to the Missouri River. The Interstate follows the curve of the river and turns to the west. It meets Gordon Drive, which carries US 20 Bus. US 20 Bus. traffic is directed onto the Interstate for {{convert|0.5|mi|km}} to Exit 149, which represents the national northern end of US 77. I-29 continues west along the Missouri River, and, after the Big Sioux River converges into the Missouri, I-29 follows the Big Sioux. Shortly before it crosses the Big Sioux into South Dakota, Iowa 12 splits away to the north.{{cite map|publisher=Iowa Department of Transportation|title=Sioux City, Iowa|url=http://www.iowadotmaps.com/msp/pdf/current/siouxcty.pdf|access-date=September 8, 2010|year=2010}}

History

File:Corp of Eng. 6-16-11A 219.jpg]]

Construction of I-29 began in the late 1950s in the Sioux City area. The first section to open, a {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=mid|-long|spell=in}} stretch from the Big Sioux River to the then–US 20/US 77 bridge across the Missouri River opened around October 1, 1958. In September 1961, I-29 was extended across the Big Sioux River to South Dakota. On April 1, 1962, some of the northbound directional spans collapsed into the Big Sioux River at the South Dakota state line as a result of flooding and bridge scour.{{cite news|agency=United Press International|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AoIzAAAAIBAJ&pg=5336%2C29548 |title=Rain, storms follow weekend of storms; stir fears of floods|date=April 2, 1962|work=Lodi News-Sentinel|page=5|access-date=January 29, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/blogs/siouxland_history/transportation/i--bridge-collapse/image_5cd7c526-9968-5d57-a520-5eba841e8542.html |title=I-29 bridge collapse |date=April 22, 2012 |newspaper=Sioux City Journal |access-date=January 29, 2015}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yihA7rihpicC&q=interstate+29+bridge+collapse+1962&pg=PA57 |title=Stream Stability and Scour at Highway Bridges |page=57 |author=Richardson, E. V. |author2=Lagasse, P. F. |year=1999 |publisher=American Society of Civil Engineers|isbn=9780784474655 }}

North of Council Bluffs, a {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} section to Missouri Valley opened in November 1958. By December 1967, the two sections were connected, creating {{convert|100|mi|km}} of continuous interstate highway. Due to a shortage of male workers, at least 20 women were enlisted to help build this section of I-29. The women were paid $2.00 hourly (equivalent to ${{inflation|US|2|1967|r=2}} hourly in {{inflation/year|US}}{{Inflation-fn|US}}), the same wage as men would have earned.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uPEvAAAAIBAJ&pg=1999,5757083&hl=en|title=Can't get men, paving contractor is hiring women|date=October 13, 1967|work=Toledo Blade|page=5|access-date=September 8, 2010}}

Construction of I-29 in the Council Bluffs area was completed in 1970, and the route was open to Glenwood in the same year. Additional interchanges were added in the Sioux City and Council Bluffs areas between 1970 and 1971. The last {{convert|30|mi|km}} of Interstate were constructed and opened in sections over the next two years; the last section opened on December 15, 1972.

In 1973, US 34 was expanded to four lanes near Glenwood, which resulted in US 34 being rerouted onto I-29 for {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}}. In 2003, US 275 was rerouted onto I-29 from the same interchange near Glenwood northward to Iowa 92 at Council Bluffs. The former US 275 alignment was turned over to Mills and Pottawattamie counties.{{cite map|publisher=Iowa Department of Transportation|url=http://www.iowadotmaps.com/msp/historical/pdf/2004_front.pdf|title=Iowa State Highway Map|year=2004|section=B2|access-date=September 8, 2010}}

Much of I-29 was built next to existing highways, most notably US 75. When the section of I-29 opened between Council Bluffs and Missouri Valley, US 75 was rerouted onto I-29.{{cite map|publisher=Iowa State Highway Commission|url=http://www.iowadotmaps.com/msp/historical/pdf/1959_front.pdf|title=Iowa State Highway Map|year=1959|section=L2:M3|access-date=September 8, 2010}} When construction connecting the Sioux City and Council Bluffs segments was completed, US 75 was again rerouted onto I-29.{{cite map|publisher=Iowa State Highway Commission|url=http://www.iowadotmaps.com/msp/historical/pdf/1969_front.pdf|title=Iowa State Highway Map|year=1969|section=G1:L3|access-date=September 8, 2010}} In the mid-1980s, US 75, from Council Bluffs to Sioux City, was completely rerouted out of Iowa, instead extending up the former US 73 corridor in Nebraska.{{cite map|publisher=Iowa Department of Transportation|title=Iowa State Highway Map|year=1985|section=A5:B3}}

In March 2021, the Iowa DOT began a project to improve the I-29/I-480/West Broadway System Interchange at I-480's eastern terminus. The project was done to improve traffic flow, safety, and the functional design at that interchange as well as at the adjacent I-29 interchanges at 41st Street, 35th Street, Avenue G and 9th Avenue. The project is projected to be completed by the end of 2024.{{cite web |title=Interstate construction beginning soon at I-29/I-480/West Broadway interchange |url=https://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2021/03/interstate-construction-beginning-soon-at-i-29i-480west-broadway-interchange.html |website=iowadot.gov/ |publisher=Iowa DOT |access-date=June 22, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Council Bluffs Interstate :: I-29/I-480/West Broadway Interchange |url=http://councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov/projects/west-broadway-interchange/#:~:text=motorist%20lane%20changes-,The%20I%2D29%2FI%2D480%2FWest%20Broadway%20System,of%20the%20Missouri%20River%20crossing. |website=councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov |publisher=Iowa DOT |access-date=22 June 2024}}

Exit list

{{Jcttop|exit|length_ref=|exit_ref={{cite map|publisher=Iowa Department of Transportation|title=Transportation Map|url=http://www.iowadotmaps.com/msp/pdf/current/stmapmain.pdf|year=2010|access-date=2010-09-08}}}}

{{IAint|exit

|county=Fremont

|cspan=6

|township=Washington

|ctdab=Fremont

|lspan=2

|mile=0.000

|road={{jct|state=MO|I|29|dir1=south|city1=St. Joseph|city2=Kansas City}}

|notes=Continuation into Missouri

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=1.811

|exit=1

|road={{Jct|state=IA|IA|333|dir1=east|city1=Hamburg}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=Benton

|lspan=2

|ctdab=Fremont

|mile=10.144

|exit=10

|road={{Jct|state=IA|IA|2|city1=Sidney|location2=Nebraska City}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=15.458

|exit=15

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|J26|city1=Percival|county1=Fremont}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=Scott

|ctdab=Fremont

|lspan=2

|mile=19.917

|exit=20

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|J24|city1=McPaul|city2=Thurman|county1=Fremont}}

|notes=Formerly Iowa 145

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=24.447

|exit=24

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|L31|name1=To CR J10|city1=Bartlett|city2=Tabor|county1=Fremont}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|county=Mills

|cspan=3

|township=Plattville

|ctdab=Mills

|lspan=2

|mile=32.386

|exit=32

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|L35|county1=Mills|city1=Pacific Junction|location2=Plattsmouth}}

|notes=Formerly US 34

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=35.477

|exit=35

|road={{Jct|state=IA|US|34|US|275|dir2=south|city1=Glenwood|city2=Red Oak}}

|notes=Southern end of US 275 overlap

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=St. Marys

|ctdab=Mills

|mile=43.805

|exit=42

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|H10|county1=Mills|location1=Bellevue}}

|notes=Formerly Iowa 370

}}

{{IAint|exit

|county=Pottawattamie

|cspan=17

|location=Council Bluffs

|lspan=13

|type=concur

|mile=47.865

|exit=47

|road={{Jct|state=IA|US|275|dir1=north|IA|92|location1=Lake Manawa}}

|notes=Northern end of US 275 overlap

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=48.526

|mspan=2

|exit=48A

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I|80|US|6|dir2=east|city1=Des Moines}}

|notes=Signed as exit 48 southbound; I-80 west exits 4A-B

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=none

|exit=48B

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I-Express|80|US|6|dir2=west|location1=Omaha}}

|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance; I-80 east exit 4

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=49.230

|exit=49

|road=South Expressway – Downtown

|notes=Former Iowa 192 north; formerly signed as exit 3 on old alignment

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=50.683

|exit=50

|road=S. 24th Street – Mid-America Center

|notes=Formerly signed as exit 1B on old alignment

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=51.644

|mspan=2

|exit=51

|espan=2

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I|80|dir1=west|location1=Omaha}}

|notes=I-80 east exits 1A-B

}}

{{IAint

|type=concur

|mile=none

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I-Express|80|US|6|dir2=east|city1=Des Moines}}

|notes=Southern end of US 6 overlap; southbound exit and northbound entrance; I-80 west exit 1

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=52.378

|exit=52

|road=Nebraska Avenue – Mid-America Center

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=53.199

|exit=53A

|road=9th Avenue / Harrah's Boulevard

W. Broadway

|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=53.777

|exit=53B

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I|480|US|6|dir2=west|location1=Omaha|location2=Eppley Airfield}}

|notes=Clockwise terminus of I-480; northern end of US 6 overlap; signed as exit 53 southbound

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=54.204

|exit=54

|road=W. Broadway

9th Avenue / Harrah's Boulevard

|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=55.715

|exit=55

|road=N. 25th Street

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=56.917

|exit=56

|road=N. 16th Street – Council Bluffs, Business District

|notes=Southbound left exit and northbound entrance only; formerly Iowa 192

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=Crescent

|ctdab=Pottawattamie

|mile=61.966

|exit=61

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I|680|dir1=west|CR|G37|county2=Pottawattamie|dir2=east|city1=Crescent|location2=North Omaha}}

|notes=Clockwise terminus of I-680; signed as exits 61A (east) and 61B (west)

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township1=Crescent

|township2=Rockford

|ctdab=Pottawattamie

|mile=66.465

|exit=66

|road=Honey Creek (CR L19)

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=Rockford

|ctdab=Pottawattamie

|lspan=2

|mile=71.623

|exit=71

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I|880|dir1=east|city1=Des Moines}}

|notes=Western terminus of I-880; former I-680 east, originally {{nowrap|I-80N}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=71.988

|exit=72

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|G12|city1=Loveland|location2=Wilson Island State Park}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|county=Harrison

|cspan=4

|location=Missouri Valley

|mile=75.786

|exit=75

|road={{Jct|state=IA|US|30|city1=Missouri Valley|location2=Blair Nebraska}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=Taylor

|ctdab=Harrison

|mile=82.088

|exit=82

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|F50|city1=Modale|county1=Harrison}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=Morgan

|ctdab=Harrison

|mile=89.309

|exit=89

|road={{Jct|state=IA|IA|127|dir1=east|city1=Mondamin}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township=Little Sioux

|ctdab=Harrison

|mile=95.714

|exit=95

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|F20|city1=Little Sioux|county1=Harrison}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|county=Monona

|cspan=3

|township=Sherman

|ctdab=Monona

|mile=105.347

|exit=105

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|K45|city1=Blencoe|county1=Monona}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|location=Onawa

|mile=112.326

|exit=112

|road={{Jct|state=IA|IA|175|city1=Onawa|location2=Decatur}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|township1=Lincoln

|township2=Lake

|ctdab=Monona

|mile=120.210

|exit=120

|road={{Jct|state=IA|CR|E24|city1=Whiting|county1=Monona}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|county=Woodbury

|cspan=11

|township=Sloan

|ctdab=Woodbury

|mile=127.571

|exit=127

|road={{Jct|state=IA|IA|141|dir1=east|city1=Sloan}}

}}

{{IAint|exit

|location=Salix

|lspan=2

|mile=133.970

|exit=134

|road=Salix (CR K25)

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=135.708

|exit=135

|road=Port Neal Landing (CR D51)

}}

{{IAint|exit

|location=Sergeant Bluff

|type=concur

|mile=141.194

|exit=141

|road={{Jctname|state=IA|CR|D38|noshield=yes|name1=Loess Hills National Scenic Byway south|city1=Sergeant Bluff|location2=Sioux Gateway Airport|county1=Woodbury}}

|notes=Southern end of Loess Hills NSB overlap; access to airport via Aviation Boulevard (formerly {{Jct|state=IA|IA|378|noshield=yes}})

}}

{{IAint|exit

|location=Sioux City

|lspan=7

|type=concur

|mile=143.413

|exit=143

|road={{Jct|state=IA|US-Bus|75|dab1=Sioux City|dir1=north|name1=Singing Hills Boulevard|location1=Bridgeport|location2=Industrial Park}}

|notes=Southern end of US 75 Business overlap; US 75 Business southbound traffic follows I-29 northbound

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=144.473

|exit=144

|road={{Jct|state=IA|I|129|dir1=west|US-Bus|75|dab2=Sioux City|dir2=ends|US|20|US|75|city1=Le Mars|city2=Fort Dodge|location3=South Sioux City}}

|notes=Northern end of US 75 Business overlap; signed as exits 144A (east/north) and 144B (west/south); I-129 exits 1A-B

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=147.476

|exit=147

|road={{Jct|state=IA|road|Floyd Boulevard|road|Virginia Street|name2={{jct|state=IA|US-Bus|20|dab1=Sioux City|dir1=east|IA|12|dir2=south|noshield=yes}} }}

|notes=Northern end of US 20 Business/Iowa 12 overlap; signed as exit 147A northbound

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=incomplete

|mile=148.050

|exit=147B

|road={{Jct|state=IA|extra=hospital|road|Gordon Drive|name1={{jct|state=IA|US-Bus|20|dab1=Sioux City|IA|12|noshield=yes}}|road|Nebraska Street}}

|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance only; serves MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=148.493

|exit=148

|road={{Jct|state=IA|US|77|dir1=South|US-Bus|20|dab2=Sioux City|dir2=west|noshield2=yes|name2=Wesley Parkway|location1=South Sioux City}}

|notes=Southern end of US 20 Business overlap; southbound access via exit 149

}}

{{IAint|exit

|mile=149.081

|exit=149

|road={{Jct|state=IA|to1=To|US|77|dir1=South|US-Bus|20|dab2=Sioux City|dir2=west|noshield2=yes|name2=Wesley Parkway|road|Hamilton Boulevard|location1=Riverfront|location2=South Sioux City}}

|notes=Northbound signed as "Hamilton Boulevard – Riverfront" only

}}

{{IAint|exit

|type=concur

|mile=151.365

|exit=151

|road={{Jct|state=IA|IA|12|dir1=north|city1=Akron|name1=Riverside Boulevard|road|Loess Hills National Scenic Byway}}

|notes=Northern end of Iowa 12/Loess Hills NSB overlap; IowaDOT signs this as southern end of Iowa 12

}}

{{Jctbridge|exit

|river=Big Sioux River

|lspan=2