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Black Hawk County opposes J‑turn plan for Cedar Wapsy/Highway 63, asks DOT for further study
Summary
County engineer warned a proposed J‑turn at Cedar Wapsy Road and Highway 63 could impede large‑vehicle movements and future freight corridors; the board voted to send a letter asking Iowa DOT for more study and county collaboration.
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors voted April 28 to send a formal letter to the Iowa Department of Transportation raising concerns about the agency’s proposed J‑turn (reduced‑conflict) option for the Cedar Wapsy Road (C‑57) and Highway 63 intersection and requesting additional study and county coordination.
Kathy Nicholas, the county engineer, told the board that DOT and its consultant presented a set of discarded options and two preferred alternatives at a recent public meeting: a reduced‑conflict J‑turn (priced by DOT at about $2.9 million with a potential 2028 completion) and a full diamond interchange (priced at about $29 million). "I have concerns that large vehicles would not be able to make the J‑turn due to the tight median and turning radius, which would divert freight traffic onto our secondary roads," Nicholas said, urging the board to request further analysis and collaboration.
Nicholas described how the J‑turn would prevent straight‑through and left‑turn movements at the intersection, requiring drivers to turn right and perform a U‑turn or J‑turn maneuver for movements that previously were left turns. She told the board that the county has considered a northeast freight corridor and that the J‑turn could limit future options to improve freight access via roads such as North Elkon (a currently gravel road identified as a candidate for upgrade).
Board members expressed impatience with a low‑cost, near‑term option that they said could create safety, freight and routing problems and discussed whether a tight diamond or full diamond interchange would better preserve long‑term options. Supervisors said they wanted more time, additional study and closer DOT collaboration; the board approved the engineered letter for submission.
The letter and board vote followed public and staff concerns about property impacts, driver confusion for a first‑in‑state J‑turn design, and potential traffic diversion to local intersections (including Wagner Road and Dunkerton Road). The board passed a motion to approve the letter and recorded affirmative votes during the roll call.
The county engineer and board asked DOT to consider freight movement, property access impacts, additional public engagement, and how the county’s long‑range corridor plans could be incorporated into state decision‑making. DOT’s timeline and final selection remain subject to DOT processes and funding availability.
The board’s action was procedural—approving a comment letter rather than selecting a preferred DOT alternative—and it directs staff to pursue further coordination with DOT.
