Interstate 235 Iowa

Interstate 235 Iowa
I-235 at 44th St Pedestrian Bridge - Des Moines, IA

A tied arch bridge carries pedestrians across Interstate 235. This is one of three built during the multi-year Rebuilding I-235 project to provide freeway beautification and neighborhood connectivity. 04/12/13

Overview

Interstate 235 forms an urban loop from West Des Moines east to Downtown Des Moines, then north to unincorporated Polk County and Ankeny. I-35/80 bypass the capital city to the north, but along a suburban route through Clive, Urbandale and by the cities of Grimes and Johnston.

Heading east from the merge of I-35 and I-80 (West Mixmaster Interchange) through West Des Moines, I-235 travels below grade with six overall lanes and auxiliary lanes to 22nd Street. Crossing Walnut Creek, the freeway straddles the south city limits of Windsor Heights to Iowa 28 and Des Moines. Sound walls line portions of the route east as I-235 expands to eight lanes.

Staying below grade, Interstate 235 increases to ten lanes in width with auxiliary lanes as it crosses northern reaches of Downtown Des Moines by Mercy Medical Center. While approaching the Des Moines River, the freeway reduces to six lanes as it begins the northern turn toward Ankeny. The state capitol appears just south of I-235 by Exit 9 with U.S. 65.

Sound walls again line the freeway right of way northward from Iowa 163 to the return of I-35/80. Within the East Mixmaster Interchange, the freeway mainline defaults motorists onto I-35 north toward Ames, Mason City and Minneapolis while the original roadway serves movements back west to Johnston and east along I-80 to the Quad Cities.

An outer loop for Des Moines was constructed from south West Des Moines east around Des Moines to Carlisle, Pleasant Hill and Altoona. Completed in 2002, the freeway is designated Iowa 5 along the south leg and as part of U.S. 65 from U.S. 69 north to Interstate 80 along the east leg. Several communities along the bypass pushed to have the loop designated as an Interstate in 2012. Precluding the upgrade however is the use of the route by slow moving farm machinery, as such vehicles are prohibited from using Interstate highways. However, an exception to this restriction was granted for the establishment of Interstate 555 in Arkansas. Additionally the freeway is not set with a minimum speed.1 A 2014 story from Iowa Public Radio indicates that more time will be allowed to study the possibility of upgrading the route.2

East Mixmaster Interchange

The first of several phases upgrading the exchange joining the east end of I-235 with I-35/80 in Polk County north of Des Moines got underway in Fall 2022. Work reconstructing the 1950s-era junction into a multi level systems interchange commenced with work building new ramps from I-80 west to I-235 north and I-35/80 east with I-235 north. Costing $55 million, work on phase one is anticipated for completion in June 2024.5

Succeeding phases will add flyovers from I-35 south to I-80 east and from I-80 west to I-235 west. All other ramps will also be realigned. The Full Build Conceptual Layout of the exchange was established in October 2017.

West Mixmaster Interchange

Following construction at the East Mixmaster Interchange, the Iowa Department of Transportation will begin work upgrading the interchange built in the early 1960s that joins I-35/80/235 at West Des Moines. $79 million was budgeted for the improvements at the exchange in the IowaDOT five-year draft plan. The project outlines building new a flyover from I-35/80 south to I-235 east and a flyover for the continuation of the westbound I-80 mainline from I-35. The project is anticipated for completion by late 2028.6

Route Information

  • East End – Des Moines, IA

  • West End – Des Moines, IA

  • Mileage – 13.78

  • Cities – Des Moines

  • Junctions – I-35 I-80

Source: December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

Des Moines, IA - 1964

Des Moines inset from the 1964 Iowa Official Highway Map
Interstate 235 was completed from Cottage Grove Avenue east to Pennsylvania Avenue by November 1963. Extensions were made in 1966 west to 31st Street and east to Easton Boulevard. The I-35/80 overlap south from the West Mixmaster Interchange alludes to an earlier proposal to route Interstate 80 parallel to what was U.S. 6 west from Grand Avenue.

Des Moines, IA - 1966
1966 Des Moines fold map showing the bulk of I-235 completed within the capital city.

The original design of Interstate 235 included roadway splits at Keosauqua (Keo) Way west of the Des Moines River and at University Avenue. The separations accommodated left entrance ramps.

I-235 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

Source: Traffic Flow Map of Des Moines – 2016 AADT – Iowa Department of Transportation
Traffic Flow Map of West Des Moines – 2016 AADT – Iowa Department of Transportation

History

The Des Moines City Council voted 5-0 in support of the freeway plan for Interstate 235 in 1957. That same year, the Federal Bureau of Public Roads gave final approved to the Iowa Highway Commission to build the route. Costs were estimated at $54,763,000 for construction on the first urban freeway project in Iowa.3

Preliminary design work was completed in 1958, indicating that the route would serve area needs through 1978. Right of way purchases totaled $21,078,000, with five hundred acres acquired including 1,100 dwelling units, 50 businesses, three schools and two churches. The freeway was designed for 50 mile per hour speeds.3

Interstate 235 was designated the John MacVicar Freeway in the 1960s by the Des Moines City Council. John MacVicar was mayor of the city from 1896 to 1900 and again from 1916-18. He also served stints as streets commissioner and public safety commissioner and mayor for a third time in 1928 before his death. His son, also named John MacVicar, held the position of streets commissioner twice to 1940 and as mayor from 1942 to 1950. He passed away in 1950.3

The first portion of I-235 opened was the 1.2 mile long section from Cottage Grove Avenue to 12th Street, including the bridges across the Des Moines River. This stretch took three years to build and cost $9.5 million. Further north, the exchange between I-35, I-80 and I-235 was nicknamed the [East] “Mixmaster” by highway engineers in 1961, due to the intricate nature of its design.3 The junction between I-35, I-80 and I-235 in West Des Moines was nicknamed the West Mixmaster Interchange.

Early design elements of Interstate 235 called for bridge clearances of 14.5 feet, instead of the recommended 16 foot clearance to accommodate the movement of military equipment. The reduced height meant that military traffic was routed around Des Moines to offset the cost with raising overpasses and their approaches.3

Construction on Interstate 235 was completed in 1968, four years ahead of schedule.3 Segments of the MacVicar Freeway opened as follows from west to east:4

  • I-35/80 east to 63rd Street: October 30, 1968
  • 63rd Street to 31st Street: December 6, 1967
  • 31st Street to Cottage Grove Avenue: December 13, 1966
  • Cottage Grove Avenue to Keo Way: December 14, 1961
  • Keo Way to Penn Avenue: November 9, 1963
  • Penn Avenue to Easton Boulevard: December 13, 1966
  • Easton Boulevard to I-35/80 (Mixmaster interchange): December 6, 1967
1967 Iowa Official Highway Map Cover

The MacVicar Freeway graced the cover of the 1967 Iowa Official Highway Map. This scene looked east from the 3rd Street overpass toward the Des Moines River and State Capitol. The curved entrance ramp from 2nd Avenue north to I-235 west was rebuilt in 2003.

Rebuilding I-235

All of Interstate 235 was reconstructed to modern design standards during the $429 million Rebuilding I-235 project underway from March 2002 to 2007. Construction replaced all low clearance bridges, expanded the freeway to at least six lanes in width, lengthened exit and entrance ramps and added lighting and landscaping.

Three steel pedestrian bridges were added at 44th, 40th and E 6th Streets. The basket-handle arch bridges replaced preexisting structures. The span design celebrates the arched river bridges that are symbolized in the city logo. The Edna M. Griffin Memorial Bridge near East 6th Street was completed in January 2004. The 40th and 44th Street bridges were constructed from October 2004 to Fall 2005.

Interchange modifications outlined on the Rebuilding I-235 project web site:

  • West West Drive Interchange – March 2003 to November 2003
    A new eastbound entrance ramp was added from Valley View Drive north. Ramps along I-235 were were realigned further south and the Valley View Drive overpass was replaced.
  • 56th Street Interchange – May to December 2005
    The 56th Street overpass was replaced and the loop ramp from southbound to I-235 east was removed.
  • 42nd Interchange – March to August 2004
    The interchange was reconstructed with a new bridge built over I-235.
  • 35th, 31st, 28th Streets – March to December 2005
    A diamond interchange replaced the eastbound off-ramp to 35th Street and a loop ramp from 31st Street south to I-235 east. Bridges for I-235 over 35th and 28th Street were replaced, as was the 31st Street overpass.
  • MLK, Jr. Parkway, 19th Street, Cottage Grove Avenue – March 2002 to March 2004
    Cottage Grove Avenue was realigned onto a new overpass in conjunction with a new eastbound off-ramp to School Street in 2002. New ramps were added from both the new 19th Street bridge and MLK, Jr. Parkway to southbound. The split directions of Cottage Grove Avenue and its associated ramp system to I-235 were demolished.
  • Keo Way Interchange – September 2004 to Summer 2007
    Keo Way was reconstructed below I-235 while new off-ramps were completed. The service roads connecting I-235 with Keo Way and 19th Street take the place of the former freeway mainline, which previously separated to accommodate left-hand ramps along eastbound to and from Keo Way. A new on-ramp to I-235 was also completed, which passes below the new off-ramp to 7th and 3rd Streets. The loop ramp on the southeast quadrant with Keo Way was removed as well.
  • 2nd Avenue / 3rd Street Interchange – September 2002 to December 2003
    Overpasses for 2nd Avenue, 3rd Street and 5th Avenue were replaced and ramps reconstructed. The 12th Street on-ramps, which joined the left side of both directions of Interstate 235, were permanently removed.
  • 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue, 7th Street Interchange – July 2004 to Summer 2005
    New bridges for all three numbered streets. The curved overpass for 5th Avenue was removed and 5th Avenue was made continuous north of Day Street.
  • E 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue Interchange – April 2003 to December 2003
    New bridges were built for East 6th and 9th Streets in 2002. Redesign of the interchange consolidated back to back off-ramps into a wider split-diamond interchange.
  • E 14th and 15th Street Interchange – March 2004 to December 2005
    Collector distributor roadways added between 12th and 14th Streets as part of interchange reconstruction.
  • East University Avenue to Guthrie Avenue – June 2002 to November 2003
    A new westbound roadway was constructed for I-235, replacing the westbound ramps to and from Easton Boulevard.
  • East University Avenue and Easton Boulevard – January 2004 to spring 2006
    The split roadways of Interstate 235 were realigned to eliminate left entrance ramps from Iowa 163. Ramps along I-235 east to Easton Boulevard were rebuilt, while the separate sections of Easton Boulevard below the freeway were linked.
  • East Euclid Avenue Interchange – November 2002 to December 2003
    The U.S. 6 overpass was replaced and the loop ramp from I-235 north to Euclid Avenue was removed.

Construction following the Rebuild I-235 project in 2007-09 addressed some of the left side ramps at the East Mixmaster interchange. A new set of roadways was built to seamlessly link Interstate 235 to the south with I-35 to the north. The former north and southbound lanes were repurposed as distributor roadways for the exits from I-35 south and I-235 north. Left exit ramps remain in place from I-80 west to I-235 south and at the northbound split of I-35 from I-80 east.

 Photo Guides

East End I-35 I-80 – Des Moines, Iowa

I-235 East at I-35 I-80

I-235 east at US 6 - Des Moines, IA

Nearing the six-ramp parclo interchange (Exit 12) with U.S. 6 (East Euclid Avenue), drivers along I-235 east see the first sign for the pending East Mixmaster Interchange. 06/19/15.

I-235 east at I-35/80 - Des Moines, IA

A two lane ramp departs in 1.25 miles for both Interstate 80 east to Davenport and I-35 south and I-80 west to Johnston, Urbandale and Grimes. The forthcoming ramp was the I-235 mainline prior to the 2008 rebuild of the East Mixmaster Interchange. 06/19/15

I-235 east at I-35/80 - Des Moines, IA

Interstate 235 leads due north with six overall lanes to Exits 137A/B with I-35 and I-80. 06/19/15

I-235 east at I-35/80 - Des Moines, IA

An end sign appears for Interstate 235 as Exits 137A/B depart in unison for I-80 east to Davenport and I-35/80 west toward Council Bluffs and Kansas City. 06/19/15

I-235 east at I-35/80 - Des Moines, IA

Interstate 80 straddles northeastern reaches of Des Moines to the outer loop freeway (U.S. 65) at Altoona. A mostly rural drive takes the freeway 101 miles east to I-380/U.S. 218 (Avenue of the Saints) at Iowa City. 06/19/15

I-80 West at I-35 I-235

I-80 west at I-35/235 - Altoona, IA

Interstate 80 traverses a rural area from the north end of the Des Moines outer loop (U.S. 65) to the East Mixmaster Interchange (Exits 137B/A) with I-35 north and I-235 west. 04/12/13

I-80 west at I-35/235 - Altoona, IA

Left Exit 137A connects with Interstate 235 (MacVicar Freeway) south to Downtown Des Moines and west to Windsor Heights and West Des Moines in just over a half mile. 02/21/20

I-80 west at I-35/235 - Altoona, IA

Exit 137B departs next for Interstate 35 north through the suburb of Ankeny to Ames, Mason City and Albert Lea, Minnesota (crossroads with Interstate 90). 04/12/13

I-80 west at I-35/235 - Altoona, IA

Exit 137A formerly connected with the left side of Interstate 235 leading south from I-35. Visible here, a new set of roadways were constructed through the East Mixmaster Interchange in 2008. 02/21/20

I-35 South at I-80 I-235

I-35 south at I-80/235 - Ankeny, IA

Heading south through Ankeny, Interstate 35 meets Corporate Woods Drive (Exit 89) at a diamond interchange on the 2.5 mile approach to the East Mixmaster Interchange with I-80 and I-235. 02/21/20

I-35 south at I-80/235 - Ankeny, IA
I-35 south at I-80/235 - Ankeny, IA

Interstate 35 overlaps with I-80 west for 15 miles through the suburbs of Johnston, Grimes, Urbandale and Clive while I-235 loops south and west through central Des Moines. 02/21/20

I-35 south at I-80/235 - Ankeny, IA
I-35 south at I-80/235 - Ankeny, IA
I-35 south at I-80/235 - Ankeny, IA

Interstate 235 extends south from I-35 with two lanes into Des Moines as traffic separates for Left Exit 137A to I-80 east and the continuation of I-35/80 to Johnston and Urbandale. 02/21/20

I-35 North I-80 East at I-235

I-35 and I-80 split for Ames and Iowa City respectively at the East Mixmaster Interchange with Interstate 235. 03/28/16

East End Throwback

I-235 East at I-35 I-80

I-235 east at US 6 - 2005

Interstate 235 east at U.S. 6 (East Euclid Avenue) during the Rebuild I-235 construction. A blank sign remained from the closed loop ramp for U.S. 6 west.
A new sign bridge added further south revised the distance for I-35/80 to 1.25 miles. 09/04/05

I-235 east at I-35/80 - 2005

Two lanes of I-235 east crosses over NE 46th Avenue ahead of the former roadway split through the East Mixmaster Interchange. 09/04/05

I-235 east at I-35/80 - 2005

Prior to 2007, the northbound lanes of Interstate 235 bowed outward to accommodate left side ramps from I-35 north and I-80. These lanes remain today for exits to Davenport and Council Bluffs but do not return to the new I-235 mainline running through the middle of the exchange. 09/04/05

I-235 east at I-35/80 - 2005

Northbound Interstate 235 reached the connecting ramp to westbound I-35/80. The mainline continued north to merge with northbound I-35. 09/04/05

I-80 West at I-35 I-235

I-80 west at I-35/235 - 2008

The two-mile guide sign for the East Mixmaster Interchange was located at Exit 141 with U.S. 65 south. U.S. 65 south and Iowa 5 from Carlisle west comprise a belt freeway encircling the outer suburbs of Des Moines to the south and west. 10/04/08

I-80 west at I-35/235 - 2008

This set of signs posted after Fourmile Creek was carbon copied by 2011 to include a Left Exit tab for I-235 west. 10/04/08

I-80 west at I-35/235 - 2006

Replaced guide signs posted at the ramp departure (Exit 137B) for Interstate 35 north. I-35 reaches Ames in 25 miles. Photo by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).

I-80 west at I-35/235 - 1976

Original button copy signs posted at the East Mixmaster Interchange. This stretch of Interstate 80 opened to traffic on October 8, 1962. Photo by Michael Summa (1976).

I-80 west at I-35/235 - 2006

Exit 137A departed here and joined the left side of Interstate 235 west into Des Moines. A pair of overpasses were constructed above I-80 here in 2008 to better link I-35 and I-235. Photo by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).

I-35 North I-80 East at I-235

I-35/80 east at Iowa 415 - Des Moines, IA

Eastbound at the diamond interchange (Exit 135) with Iowa 415 along I-35/80 east, 2.25 miles ahead of their split. The advance sign for Exit 137 was removed by 2009. Photo by Jason Hancock (05/06/06).

I-35/80 east at US 69 - 2006

This set of signs for Exits 137A/B were combined into a single Clearview font based sign by 2009. Departing here is Exit 136 for U.S. 69 south along E 14th Street into Des Moines and north through the industrial park area at Marquisville. Photo by Jason Hancock (05/06/06).

I-35/80 east at I-235 - 2006

Passing over a pair of Union Pacific Railroad lines, one half mile ahead of the East Mixmaster Interchange. A single lane ramp takes the I-35 northbound mainline toward Ames and Mason City while a separate ramp departs for Interstate 235 west back into Des Moines. Photo by Jason Hancock (05/06/06).

I-35/80 east at I-235 - 2006

Interstate 80 continues east with two through lanes as back to back ramps depart for I-235 west to Downtown Des Moines and I-35 north through Ankeny. Photo by Jason Hancock (05/06/06).

I-35 South at I-80 I-235

I-35 south at I-80/235 - 2008

This diagrammatic sign was installed by 2007 to reflect the new freeway mainline leading motorists south from Interstate 35 onto I-235 (MacVicar Freeway). It was replaced by three separate Clearview font based panels by 2011. 10/05/08

I-35 south at I-80/235 - 2005

This set of signs preceded the roadway separation of Interstate 35 south through the East Mixmaster Interchange. 09/04/05

I-35 south at I-80/235 - 2008

The original westbound lanes now serve traffic to I-80 east and the I-35 mainline merge with I-80 west. 10/05/08

I-35 south at I-80/235 - 2005

A lane drop occurred on Interstate 35 south at the TOTSO (turn off to stay on) movement onto I-80 west at the westbound beginning of I-235. 09/04/05

I-35 south at I-80/235 - 2005

The original split of Interstate 235 west from I-35 south. The roadway leading to the loop ramp for I-80 west was reconstructed into a single lane ramp in 2008-09. 09/04/05

I-35 south at I-80/235 - 2005

The original I-235 westbound roadway at Exit 87A for Davenport. A new roadway built to accommodate six lanes replaced this movement in 2008-09. 09/04/05

West End I-35 I-80 – Des Moines, Iowa

I-235 West at I-35 I-80

I-235 west at I-35/80 - West Des Moines, IA

Interstate 235 leads 1.25 miles west from Valley West Drive to the directional cloverleaf interchange with I-35 and I-80. The forthcoming exchange utilizes exit numbers from the mileage of I-80. 02/22/20

I-235 west at I-35/80 - West Des Moines, IA

Continuing west through an area of business parks, retail and apartment complexes, I-235 passes under 42nd Street through West Des Moines. A lane drop occurs in 0.4 miles for I-35 north / I-80 east to the northwest suburbs of Urbandale and Grimes. 02/22/20

I-235 west at I-35/80 - West Des Moines, IA

A second set of signs for Exits 123A/B and the West Mixmaster Interchange were added at the half diamond interchange (Exit 1A) for 50th Street after 2011. 02/22/20

I-235 west at I-35/80 - West Des Moines, IA

The I-235 mainline defaults onto Interstate 80 west to Omaha, Lincoln and Cheyenne, Wyoming as Exit 123B departs for I-35 north to Ames and Minneapolis and I-80 east to Iowa City and the Quad Cities. 02/22/20

I-235 west at I-35/80 - West Des Moines, IA

Council Bluffs is 115 miles to the west via I-80 while the much larger city of Omaha is just across the Nebraska line at 123 miles. Kansas City is a 176 mile drive to the south via Interstate 35. 02/22/20

I-80 East at I-35 I-235

I-80 east two miles from I-35 and I-235 east in West Des Moines, IA

Two miles ahead of the West Mixmaster Interchange joining I-80 east with I-35 and I-235 east in West Des Moines. 02/21/20

I-80 east one mile from I-35/235 at West Des Moines, Iowa

The mainline of I-80 east defaults onto Interstate 235 to Des Moines. I-80 turns north with two lanes through the forthcoming exchange. 02/21/20

I-80 east at 60th St ahead of I-35/235 in West Des Moines, Iowa

Two lanes transition into Interstate 235 east at Left Exit 123 A. I-80 combines with I-35 north into Clive and Urbandale. 02/21/20

I-80 east at Exit 123 for I-35 and I-235 east in West Des Moines, IA

I-35/80 loop northward around Des Moines while I-235 proceeds east to Downtown. I-35 south leads to Osceola, Lamoni and ultimately Kansas City, Missouri. 02/21/20

I-35 North at I-80 I-235

I-35 north at I-80/235 - West Des Moines, IA

A new sign bridge was installed in 2015 along Interstate 35 near the end of an expansion project that widened the freeway from four to eight lanes. The West Mixmaster Interchange (Exits 72A/B) with I-80 west to Omaha and I-235 (MacVicar Freeway) east to Des Moines lies one mile ahead. 03/28/16

I-35 north at I-80/235 - West Des Moines, IA

A lane drop occurs along I-35 north at Exit 72A for Interstate 235 leading east through West Des Moines. 03/28/16

I-35 north at I-80/235 - West Des Moines, IA

Ashworth Road spans Interstate 35 north at the ramp departure of Exit 72A. Interstate 235 extends east from the I-80 mainline, eight miles to the Des Moines central business district. 06/19/15

I-35 north at I-80/235 - West Des Moines, IA

Departing beyond the ramp for Interstate 235 is the loop ramp (Exit 72) for westbound I-80 en route to Council Bluffs, Omaha, Lincoln, Cheyenne, and Denver (via the western Interstate 76). 06/19/15

I-35 South I-80 West at I-235

I-35/80 south at I-235 - Clive, IA

Passing over U.S. 6 on I-35 south and I-80 west, 1.25 miles ahead of the West Mixmaster Interchange with Interstate 235 east in Clive. 02/21/20

I-35/80 south at I-235 - Clive, IA

A loop ramp from University Avenue adds a fourth southbound lane to the western turn of I-80 away from I-35 south. Exit 72A follows in 0.75 miles for I-235 leading east through West Des Moines to Downtown Des Moines. 02/21/20

I-35/80 south at I-235 - West Des Moines, IA

Interstate 80 parts ways with I-35 through West Des Moines en route to Atlantic, I-880 near Minden and I-29 at Council Bluffs. 02/21/20

I-35/80 south at I-235 - West Des Moines, IA
I-35/80 south at I-235 - West Des Moines, IA

Exit 72A loops away from Interstate 35 south to I-235 east back toward Des Moines. Drivers continuing south remain within West Des Moines to the Madison County line. Suburban areas spread south along the freeway to the Raccoon River. 02/21/20

West End Throwback

I-235 West at I-35 I-80

I-235 west at I-35/80 - 2005

The loop ramp for Interstate 35 south was previously unnumbered. A slight change was also made for the I-235 end sign by 2005. Photo by Dale Sanderson (2002).

I-80 East at I-35 I-235

I-80 east at I-35/235 - 2004

Interstate 80 curves east through a six-ramp parclo interchange (Exit 121) with Jordan Creek Parkway on the one mile approach to the West Mixmaster Interchange (Exit 123) with I-35 and I-235 east.
This diagrammatic sign was replaced with a sign using Clearview font by 2015 with West Des Moines was dropped as a control city. Photo by Jeff Morrison (08/19/04).

I-80 east at I-35/235 - 2004

The mainline continuation of the I-80 freeway at the East Mixmaster Interchange is assigned Exit 123A as I-80 turns north via a two-lane directional ramp to combine with I-35.
This diagrammatic sign was replaced by 2015 to include a Left Exit tab for 123A. Photo by Jeff Morrison (08/19/04).

I-80 east at I-35/235 - 1979

Original button copy overheads posted at the 60th Street overpass for the West Mixmaster Interchange. I-235 extends the freeway east through West Des Moines another four miles. Photo by Michael Summa (1979).

I-80 east at I-35/235 - 1999

Motorists bound for Interstate 35 south to Kansas City depart in unison with the I-80 northward turn to Clive, Urbandale and Johnston.
This set of signs was replaced by 2015 with West Des Moines omitted. The capital city suburb was dropped from signs along I-80, as the municipal limits annexed areas westward to Ashworth Road. Photo by Jason Hancock (03/99).

I-80 east at I-35/235 - 1979

Button copy signs posted at Exits 123A/B referenced Interstate 235 east on a pull through panel. Photo by Michael Summa (1979).

I-35 North at I-80 I-235

I-35 north at I-80/235 - 2005

The first guide sign for the West Mixmaster Interchange was previously posted at the SPUI (Exit 70) with Mills Civic Parkway. Construction to expand I-35 to six overall lanes in 2011-13 removed this assembly. 09/04/05

I-35 north at I-80/235 - 2005

Just north of Jordan Creek on the one mile approach to Exits 72A/B for I-80 west and I-235 east. This set of overheads was carbon copied in 2013 with Clearview font. 09/04/05

I-35 north at I-80/235 - 2013

These new signs added at the one mile mark ahead of the West Mixmaster Interchange were taken down to make way for freeway expansion by 2015. 04/12/13

I-35 north at I-80/235 - 2005

Former guide sign posted at the Ashworth Road overpass. Most replacement signs omit West Des Moines as a control city.
Even though Interstate 235 is primarily east-west, it is signed as a branch route of I-35 instead of Interstate 80. 09/04/05

I-35 north at I-80/235 - 2005

The I-35 mainline progressed north from the off-ramp (Exit 72A) for I-235 east to merge with Interstate 80 east through Clive and Urbandale. 09/04/05

I-35 South I-80 West at I-235

I-35/80 south at I-235 - 2005

This sign bridge was removed after 2008 and replaced with a variant of these signs further south at the crossing of Walnut Creek. 09/04/05

I-35/80 south at I-235 - 2006

An arrow per lane sign replaced this set of overheads at University Avenue / Exit 124. Photo by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).

I-35/80 south at I-235 - 2005

Button copy signs were still in use along I-35 south at the split with I-80 west. These were replaced with Clearview font based panels by 2008. Expansion of I-35 through the West Mixmaster Interchange in 2011 resulted in the removal of this sign bridge. 09/04/05

I-35/80 south at I-235 - 2005

Older button copy signs at the loop ramp (Exit 72A) linking southbound Interstate 35 with I-235 east to Des Moines. 09/04/05

Sources:

  1. “Problems noted in beltway plan.” Des Moines Register, November 21, 2012.
  2. “Iowa’s Newest Interstate?” Iowa Public Radio, October 3, 2014.
  3. “I-235 Unearthing The Past.” Rebuilding I-235 project web site. www.i235.com
  4. “Iowa Completion Status of Interstate System as of January 1, 1982.” Iowa Department of Transportation.
  5. “What to expect from phase one of East Mixmaster reconstruction.” WHO TV-13 (Des Moines, IA), December 15, 2022.
  6. “The West Mixmaster, where 3 Interstates Meet, can be Dangerous. How the State Plans to Fix it.” Des Moines Register (IA), May 26, 2023.

Updated February 26, 2024.