I-80/I-380 Interchange System Improvement Program

Challenge

The I-80/I-380 interchange near Coralville, Iowa, is one of the state’s most heavily traveled and strategically important junctions. As traffic volumes increased due to regional growth in population, commerce, and freight transport, the original loop ramp design no longer provided the capacity or safety needed to meet demand. Frequent congestion, inefficient traffic flow, and increasing safety risks signaled the need for a transformative infrastructure solution to support Iowa’s economic vitality and connectivity. Addressing this challenge required a comprehensive redesign and reconstruction effort that would modernize the interchange while minimizing disruptions to travelers and surrounding communities.

Solution

To meet these needs, the Iowa DOT and Iowa Transportation Commission launched the $396 million I-80/I-380 Interstate System Improvement Program. The project removed outdated loop ramps and constructed eight modern directional ramps, added additional lanes on both interstates, and included substantial improvements across 45 strategically phased projects. HR Green was selected to provide Construction Inspection (CEI) services throughout the multi-year reconstruction.

As part of this effort, HR Green introduced modern technologies to enhance quality, accuracy, and efficiency. This included the use of 3D Model Deliverables and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to support both inspection and post-construction documentation. The Iowa DOT used this project as a pilot for BIM-based construction documentation, allowing real-time access to digital plans through tablets and mobile devices—a first for the Iowa DOT Central Bureau of Utilities (CBU).

Benefit

Replacing the existing loop ramps created a higher capacity interchange while improving traffic flow and enhancing safety by reducing the frequency of unexpected delays, crashes, and vehicle rollovers. With 113 total lane miles and 26 new bridges, the project adds resilience and reliability to a vital corridor of Iowa’s highway system. HR Green’s use of innovative inspection tools improved construction efficiency and set a precedent for future DOT projects.

Completed in 2023, the project demonstrates how modern construction strategies can deliver long-term public benefits through safer, smarter infrastructure increasing capacity for residents, freight carriers, and travelers across the region.