Des Moines, Iowa: Eastbound I-80 at the Northeast Mixmaster Closes Overnight Starting Sunday, and One Ramp Stays Shut Until December 9

Drivers who cross the northeast side of Des Moines at night will need a detour starting Sunday. The Iowa Department of Transportation will close the eastbound Interstate 80 lanes and several ramps at the Northeast Mixmaster, the interchange where I-80, I-35 and I-235 meet, beginning the evening of Sunday, November 1, weather permitting. The department's Grimes construction office announced the closures on Tuesday, October 27, and the Des Moines Register published the full schedule for drivers on Saturday, October 31.

What closes, and when

Three closures run overnight, starting each evening and ending at 5 a.m. on Friday, November 6. The ramp from eastbound I-235 to eastbound I-80 closes at 8 p.m. each night. The ramp from southbound I-35 to eastbound I-80 also closes at 8 p.m. each night. Eastbound I-80 itself, from the Mixmaster to U.S. Highway 65, closes at 9 p.m. each night.

A fourth closure lasts much longer. The ramp from eastbound I-235 to westbound I-80 closes at 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, and stays closed through 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 9, a stretch of more than five weeks.

Why the ramps are closing

Crews need the closures to connect the ramps to the new eastbound I-80 pavement, the department said. The work follows a run of overnight closures on the same stretch in late October, when eastbound I-80 between the Northeast Mixmaster and U.S. 65 in Altoona closed at night for paving work.

The detours

For most of the closures, the signed detour sends drivers from eastbound I-80 onto southbound I-235. Drivers exit onto Euclid Avenue, turn left onto Hubbell Avenue to reach State Highway 65, and then merge back onto eastbound I-80. For the long ramp closure, drivers on northbound I-235 exit onto Euclid Avenue, turn right onto State Highway 69, and merge onto westbound I-80 from there.

The department reminded drivers to slow down in the work area, obey the posted speed limit and signs, and leave ample space between vehicles. Traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones, the department said. Drivers can check current road conditions through the state's 511 system at 511ia.org, by calling 511 inside Iowa or 800-288-1047 nationwide, or through the 511 mobile app. Questions about the project go to Kasi Province at the Grimes construction office, at 515-986-2863.