Ames, Iowa — The Iowa DOT has decided to change the name of a segment of Interstate highway north of Council Bluffs.
Originally opened in 1966 and called I-80N, the segment is just south of Missouri Valley near Loveland, Iowa and allows travelers on southbound Interstate 29 to get on Interstate 80 eastbound without having to go all the way south to the Omaha/Council Bluffs area first. After a change in 1973, it has been known as I-680. The problem seems to have been that I-680 also leaves I-29 to the west to head into Omaha.
Iowa DOT officials say, “Having two portions of a road both named I-680 got a little confusing to some people during this flood season.” They say that in an effort to reduce the confusion, they have renamed the northern portion I-880.
The DOT’s Scott Suhr says, “This spring when we had 680 from I-29 to Nebraska closed for the flood — the portion of 680 from I-29 east to 80 was open. So our detour sign said ‘I-680 closed. Use I-680 to 80 east,’ which is confusing to the motorist.”
So if you’re heading toward Des Moines from I-29 southbound, you should now look for I-880. If you’re headed into north Omaha, you should continue to look for I-680. They tell us sign changes should start to take place within the next month.
