With spring approaching, work is scheduled to resume next week on the final part of a two-year project to improve a dangerous Cedar Falls intersection.

If the weather allows, drivers can expect lane closures at the intersection of Iowa Highway 58 and Viking Road beginning Monday (March 18, 2019).

The Iowa Department of Transportation is in the process of building an interchange at the heavily-congested intersection, which has been deemed one of the most-dangerous in Iowa. According to the project's design plans, an underpass is being added that will carry Iowa 58 traffic beneath Viking Road. The $32.1 million project began last March, but construction was halted during the winter months.

Iowa 58 and Viking Road are both expected to remain open to at least one lane of traffic in each direction throughout the construction project, but periodic closures may be required.

The intersection is scheduled to be shut down from 9 PM Wednesday (March 20) until 6 AM Thursday (March 21). IDOT officials said the closure will allow construction workers to place traffic in a head-to-head pattern on the current northbound lanes of Iowa 58 and on Viking Road. During the closure, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using Ridgeway Ave., Hudson Road and Greenhill Road.

IDOT officials are encouraging motorists to seek alternative routes to avoid congestion in the construction area. The lane closures are expected to create traffic backups and delays.

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