Disclaimer: This article covers a developing or serious situation. Information can change quickly. Multiple verification from official or authoritative sources is recommended before taking any action based on this or any single report. Readers are responsible for cross-checking facts and following local authorities’ guidance.
The Iowa Department of Transportation will close northbound I-35 and eastbound I-80 between the southwest mixmaster and Iowa Highway 141 overnight for nearly a week so crews can reconfigure lanes and replace the bridge at U.S. 6/Hickman Road. Travelers should plan for detours and verify closure times with the Iowa DOT before heading out.
When Is I-80/35 Closed at Hickman Road?
According to The Des Moines Register and the Iowa DOT, the northbound/eastbound lanes of I-80/35 between the southwest mixmaster and Iowa Highway 141 will be closed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. nightly from March 16 through March 20, 2026. Backup dates for inclement weather are March 22 through March 27. During the closures, construction crews will build pavement and replace the existing bridge in the center of U.S. 6/Hickman Road. The Des Moines Register has reported these dates and the Iowa DOT has provided detour maps and updates; readers should confirm the current schedule on the Iowa DOT website or social media in case of changes.
What Is the Detour When I-80/35 Is Closed?
During the overnight closures, drivers heading east on I-80 or north on I-35 must exit at the southwest mixmaster and head east onto Interstate 235. From there, take the Valley West Drive exit and continue north as the road becomes 100th Street, then follow it as it curves into NW Urbandale Drive. Stay on NW Urbandale Drive until the interchange near Iowa 141, where you can merge back onto northbound I-35/eastbound I-80. Alternatively, if you are continuing beyond the Des Moines metro, you can remain on I-235 east and reconnect to northbound I-35 or eastbound I-80 at the northeast mixmaster. The Iowa DOT and The Des Moines Register have published this detour; allow extra time during the closure window.
Ramp Reopenings and What to Expect in 2026
The overnight work will also allow the Iowa DOT to reopen the northbound on-ramp at University Avenue and the northbound off-ramp at U.S. 6/Hickman Road. Both sets of ramps are expected to reopen by the completion of work on Thursday morning, the Iowa DOT said. The agency has stated that construction in 2026 will focus on the center of the interstate and that no ongoing ramp closures should be required beyond this phase, according to a post on the Iowa DOT’s Des Moines interstates Facebook page. The Des Moines Register has covered the project and the closure schedule; verify with the Iowa DOT for the latest times and any weather-related delays.
What We Know So Far
As of the Iowa DOT and Des Moines Register reporting:
- Northbound I-35 and eastbound I-80 between the southwest mixmaster and Iowa 141 are closed 10 p.m.–4 a.m. nightly March 16–20, 2026.
- Backup dates for bad weather are March 22–27.
- Detour uses I-235, Valley West Drive, 100th Street, and NW Urbandale Drive to Iowa 141, or I-235 through to the northeast mixmaster.
- The northbound on-ramp at University Avenue and northbound off-ramp at U.S. 6/Hickman Road are expected to reopen by the end of the work period.
- The work is part of the Hickman Road diverging diamond interchange project, with completion expected by 2028.
What This Actually Means
If you use northbound I-35 or eastbound I-80 between the southwest mixmaster and Iowa 141 between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on March 16–20 (or the backup dates March 22–27), plan on using the I-235 detour. The closure is part of the Hickman Road diverging diamond interchange project. Check the Iowa DOT website, iowadot.gov, and official social channels before you travel; do not rely on this or any single report for last-minute decisions.
What Is the Hickman Road Interchange Project?
The Iowa DOT is building a new diverging diamond interchange at U.S. 6/Hickman Road where it meets I-80/35 in the Urbandale/Clive area. The multi-year project, which has been reported at roughly $94 million and is expected to be completed by 2028, includes replacing the interchange, adding lanes to Hickman Road and I-35/80, and improving pedestrian and bicycle access. The March 16–20 overnight closures are part of that work. The Iowa DOT maintains a project page and resources at iowadot.gov for the Hickman Road interchange; The Des Moines Register has reported on the project and closure schedule. Travelers should confirm current closure dates and detours with the Iowa DOT. Severe weather or construction delays can shift the schedule to the backup window (March 22–27); the Iowa DOT typically posts updates on iowadot.gov and on the Des Moines interstates project Facebook page.
Sources
The Des Moines Register via Yahoo News, Des Moines Register, Iowa DOT – Hickman Road Interchange