116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Expect several Interstate 380 ramp closures this week as construction progresses
Also, Hiawatha will host an open house for city administrator finalists
Aug. 4, 2025 4:30 am, Updated: Aug. 4, 2025 11:26 am
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There will be multiple ramp closures that will occur along Interstate 380 as crews continue to make progress on the widening as well as the construction of diverging diamond interchanges between North Liberty and Cedar Rapids.
Closures will impact ramps at Penn Street, Wright Brothers Blvd., and Highway 30 this week, weather permitting.
The I-380 northbound ramp to Penn Street will be closed Monday, Aug. 4, at 10 p.m., through Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. Traffic will be detoured to onto Exit 2, Forevergreen Rd, and directed north on Iowa 965 to reach Penn Street.
On Tuesday night, the I-380 northbound ramp to Wright Brothers Blvd. will be closed at 10 p.m., through Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6 a.m. Traffic will be detoured to Exit 10, 120th Street NW and directed north on 6th Street SW.
Also Tuesday night, the I-380 northbound ramp to U.S. 30 eastbound will be closed at 10 p.m., through Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6 a.m. Traffic will be detoured to Exit 16B, U.S. 30 westbound and will turn eastbound at Exit 252A.
Maps for each of the closures and detours are available here.
Linn County releases updated hazard mitigation plan
Following approval by federal officials, Linn County has released its updated hazard mitigation plan.
The 2025-2030 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan outlines strategies and potential projects to reduce the impacts of natural and human-caused hazards in all unincorporated areas, school districts and most cities in Linn County.
Counties must update those plans every five years to maintain their eligibility for hazard mitigation assistant grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The 2025-2030 was completed in collaboration with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments. The 2019-2024 plan was used as a baseline and updates were made after multiple rounds of public input meetings and surveys.
Key updates to the plan include:
- Updated information on the National Flood Insurance Program participation and compliance for all jurisdictions in the plan
- Incorporation of additional flood risk mitigation planning to improve Cedar Rapids and Linn County Community Rating System (CRS) participation with the goal of reducing flood insurance premiums for residents
- Participation from five more school districts than in the previous plan.
The county recently received FEMA approval for its updated plan. To review updates and further details, visit bit.ly/LinnHazards.
Fairfax to host community meet-and-greet with city administrator finalists
The city of Fairfax is inviting residents to meet the finalists vying to become the next city administrator.
The city will host the meet-and-greet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, at Fairfax City Hall, 300 80th Street Court. During that time, the public, area elected officials and city staff are invited to visit with the candidates.
Fairfax City Council members conducted candidate interviews during a closed session at their July 22 meeting, and two finalists were identified to move forward to community engagement.
The two finalists are Rosina Guyer and Chris Philipp. Guyer served most recently as finance director and city clerk in Long Grove, Iowa, a town of roughly 850 people in Scott County. Philipp is an internal candidate who currently serves as Fairfax’s building administrator.
The selected candidate will be responsible for guiding the city’s strategic direction and overseeing day-to-day operations at the direction of City Council. The position was held most recently by Dustin Stambaugh.
Road closures, transit changes expected in downtown Iowa City
Various roads around downtown Iowa City and near Oakland cemetery will be closed throughout the next two weeks to allow for the filming of “The Death of a Brewer” a film about the Iowa City beer mafia.
Road closures
- Thursday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. : East Jefferson Street from North Dubuque Street to North Gilbert Street. North Linn Street from East Jefferson Street to the alley south of East Market Street.The alley between Market and Jefferson will also be closed from Dubuque to Linn.
- Saturday, Aug. 9 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Brown Street entrance into Oakland Cemetery.Reno Street entrance into Oakland Cemetery. Dewey Street from Brown Street to North Summit Street from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. : West Jefferson Street from North Madison Street to North Clinton Street. Parking will be limited on Clinton Street
- Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: East Jefferson Street from North Dubuque Street to North Gilbert Street. North Linn Street from East Jefferson Street to the alley south of East Market Street.The alley between Market and Jefferson will also be closed from Dubuque to Linn.
Transit Impacts
- Wednesday, Aug. 7 and Tuesday, Aug. 12: Outbound 7-North Dodge and 11-Rochester routes will detour via Clinton Street, Burlington Street, Gilbert Street, and Jefferson Street.Stops #7401 (Jefferson and Linn) and #7400 (Clinton and Jefferson) will be closed
- Monday, Aug. 11: Inbound 10-West Iowa City will detour via Iowa Avenue, Madison Street, Burlington Street, Clinton Street, and Washington Street.Stop #7023 (Madison and Jefferson) will not be serviced.
Iowa City Bike Count looking for volunteers
The Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County and the Climate Action and Outreach division is looking to collect data about bicyclists at certain intersections across the city. The data collected will be used to plan future bike infrastructure across Iowa City.
All volunteers will receive training and the results will be publicly available.
Volunteer shifts will be available from 7-9 a.m. or 4-6 p.m. on the following collection dates:
- Tuesday, Sept. 9
- Wednesday, Sept. 10
- Thursday, Sept. 11
Volunteers are required to be 18 years or older or accompanied by a legal guardian. Prospective volunteers can fill out an online interest form here.
Hiawatha hosts Debi Durham at annual state of the city event
Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham will headline the Hiawatha Economic Development Company’s (HEDCO) annual state of the city event.
The event happens Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at McGrath Hyundai of Cedar Rapids, 1040 N. Center Point Rd. in Hiawatha. Tickets are $50 and available for purchase at hedco.org, under the news & events tab.
Hiawatha Mayor Steve Dodson will share updates on infrastructure, housing and business development as the city celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Durham will talk about the economic opportunities in Eastern Iowa.
There will also be recognition of the 2025 Fay Clark Award Winner, honoring a member of the community exemplifying Hiawatha’s pioneering spirit.
Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Grace Nieland and Megan Woolard contributed.
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