Winner Grand Award: American Council of Engineering Companies – Iowa (ACEC-IA)

The City of Ankeny retained Howard R. Green Company (HR Green) to complete an Interchange Justification Report (IJR). An IJR, which presents the arguments for Interstate access modifications to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is a crucial and difficult first step in obtaining approval for the construction of an interchange. A number of Des Moines suburbs have attempted to obtain approval for new interchanges over the past few years, and most have not gained approval.

A major challenge in gaining Interstate access approval is balancing the need for local access with the equally important need to preserve the integrity of the Interstate system’s operations. Simply stated, FHWA is not charged with expediting local traffic. Rather, this federal agency is responsible for providing the highest levels of safety and mobility on the Interstate system, enhancing national security and prosperity by facilitating regional, national and international travel and trade. Cities, like Ankeny, desire the local transportation connectivity that the Interstate system provides, in order to enhance the community’s ability to grow and function. The state department of transportation, meanwhile, is charged with maintaining the federal Interstate system within their jurisdiction. HR Green sought collaboration among all these interested parties to ensure that their differing objectives were respected. A key success factor of this project was the way it fostered cooperation among various entities and helped them to reach a mutually beneficial solution.

Many other challenges also were overcome in producing a satisfactory design concept. The project vicinity presented numerous competing demands.

HR Green completed the Interchange Justification Report in March 2008. The IJR was approved by the FHWA, and has been hailed by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) as a model for all future IJR presentations. HR Green, in cooperation with the Des Moines Area MPO and the Iowa DOT, successfully demonstrated that the proposed improvements would not have a significant adverse impact on the safety and operation of the Interstate, while meeting the objectives for local and regional travel.

Pending approval of its environmental assessment, the City of Ankeny anticipates beginning final design of the improvements in 2009.