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County briefed on DOT plan for J‑turn at Highway 63 and Cedar Wapsi Road; supervisors voice truck and farm concerns
Summary
Black Hawk County engineers and the Iowa DOT discussed a planned 'J‑turn' at the Highway 63/Cedar Wapsi Road intersection, budgeted for FY2028 and estimated at about $2.9 million; supervisors raised concerns about U‑turn impacts for farm equipment and trucks and whether traffic will shift to nearby intersections.
County engineer Kathy Nicholas told the Board of Supervisors on July 21 that the Iowa Department of Transportation plans to install a reduced‑conflict “J‑turn” at the intersection of Highway 63 and Cedar Wapsi Road as a safety improvement.
Nicholas said the DOT presented evidence from other states that J‑turns can reduce the severity and frequency of serious crashes, and that the state has budgeted the project for fiscal 2028. "They are estimating they can do that work for about $2,900,000," she said. The DOT told county officials that a full interchange or overpass would be substantially more expensive — "an interchange would be at least $30,000,000," Nicholas said.
Several supervisors welcomed steps to reduce serious crashes but warned about operational impacts. "I feel for the truck drivers, and for our farm families that have to have equipment going around and doing those U‑turns," a supervisor said, asking whether the configuration might push traffic to other, less‑safe intersections.
Nicholas and other officials said the design includes added lighting and other improvements and that the DOT plans additional public outreach; the DOT expects a letting in 2028 and indicated the road may not open until one or two winters after construction begins. Nicholas said the DOT will hold another open house once designs and the timeline are clearer.
There was no board vote on the DOT plan; the session was an informational update and supervisors asked staff to continue coordinating with the DOT and to post information on the county website when it becomes available.
