Public meeting planned for North Liberty Forevergreen Road project

NORTH LIBERTY - The Iowa Department of Transportation and city of North Liberty have scheduled a public meeting next week regarding plans for a new Interstate 380 interchange at Forevergreen Road.

The open house takes place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the North Liberty Recreation Center, 520 W. Cherry St.

No formal presentation is planned, but state and city officials are to be present to informally discuss the proposed changes, which include right-of-way needs near Covered Bridge Boulevard to South Jones Boulevard. Changes also are planned from east of Kansas Avenue to near Covered Bridge Boulevard.

City and state officials have been working to fast-track the roughly $18 million interchange project to as soon as next year.

This would allow most of the Forevergreen interchange to be constructed ahead of the massive Interstate 380/Interstate 80 interchange replacement - a multiyear project slated for construction in 2019 - and provide a safety valve in case of an emergency.

Local improvements in the project include paving the road - which currently is a hodgepodge of chip-seal asphalt and gravel in places - and improving roadway side slops to increase safety. Additionally, some trail and sidewalk construction might take place and storm sewer is to be added.

l Comments: (319) 339-3175; mitchell.schmidt@thegazette.com