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Black Hawk County board backs full interchange option in comment to Iowa DOT
Summary
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a comment letter to the Iowa Department of Transportation that favors a full interchange at Cedar Wapsi Road and U.S. Highway 63, citing concerns that the J‑turn alternative would harm freight movement and divert traffic onto secondary roads.
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors voted April 28 to send a formal comment to the Iowa Department of Transportation urging consideration of a full interchange at Cedar Wapsi Road and U.S. Highway 63.
County Engineer Catherine Nicholas reviewed the DOT’s narrowed list of alternatives and described two remaining options: a J‑turn configuration for County Road C57 that would restrict certain movements and is estimated at $3.9 million with completion anticipated by 2028, and a full interchange with a projected cost of about $29 million and a timeline up to 10 years. Nicholas said the engineer’s office recommends the full interchange "if limited to the available options," and outlined concerns that the J‑turn could impede large‑vehicle logistics, divert traffic onto secondary roads, increase driver confusion and safety risks, and be incompatible with future freight planning.
Supervisor Tavis Hall moved to approve the comment letter prepared for submission to the DOT; Supervisor Justin Brandt seconded. The board voted unanimously in favor.
The comment letter approved by the board asks the DOT to weigh freight‑movement implications and to consider development of a northern county freight corridor in its planning, according to Nicholas. The board did not approve funding for construction; the action was limited to submitting the county’s formal feedback on the alternatives presented by DOT.
The DOT’s public meeting materials presented estimated costs and timelines for the two options; county staff emphasized that the full interchange would be costlier but more compatible with regional freight needs. The board’s resolution records its decision to file the comment letter and does not commit the county to a project schedule or funding source.
