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Interstate 680 (Iowa-Nebraska)
Encyclopedia
Interstate 680 in Nebraska
and Iowa
is the northern bypass freeway for the Omaha, Nebraska
-Council Bluffs, Iowa
metropolitan area. I-680 spans 42.86 miles (69 km) from its western terminus in western Omaha to its eastern terminus near Neola, Iowa
. For a 10 miles (16.1 km) stretch, I-680 is co-signed with Interstate 29
. Until 1973, the section in Iowa between the current eastern terminus and I-29 was designated as Interstate 80N. I-680 in Omaha was originally designated Interstate 280. Maps from the early and mid-1960s showed I-280 in Omaha. Since this highway would extend into Iowa
, and I-280 was already planned for the Quad Cities
area, this route was redesignated I-680.
. Due to the proximity of the Center Road interchange on I-680 and the I and L Street interchanges on I-80, all of the exit and entrance ramps which connect I-80 to I-680 also connect either Center Road or I and L Streets. Two miles (2 miles (3.2 km)) north of Center Road, which prior to 2003 was Nebraska Highway 38, is a new interchange with U.S. Route 6, known as Dodge Street
in Omaha. Another mile north of Dodge Street is Nebraska Highway 64
, known as Maple Street.
At Nebraska Highway 133
, I-680 turns to the east towards Iowa. South of this interchange, I-680 traveled through residential neighborhoods, but to the east, the population thins and the interstate passes through farmland for 4+1/2 mi. I-680 crosses over Nebraska Highway 36
, which is accessed via the U.S. Route 75 interchange 1/2 mi later. US 75 runs adjacent to I-680 for one mile (1.6 km) before turning south at 30th Street. The interstate crosses the Missouri River
to Iowa
via the Mormon Bridge
.
In Iowa, Interstate 680 is markedly less urban than in Nebraska. The first three miles (3 miles (4.8 km)) of I-680 travel through the flat bottoms of the Missouri River valley. At the interchange west of Crescent
, I-680 joins Interstate 29 for just under ten miles (10 miles (16.1 km)). The stretch of I-29 / I-680 sits approximately halfway between the Missouri River
and the Loess Hills
. Near the unincorporated village of Loveland, I-680 exits from I-29 and turns east again, immediately entering the Loess Hills.
For six miles (6 miles (9.7 km)), I-680 cuts through the rugged Loess Hills. Two miles (2 miles (3.2 km)) east of the I-29 interchange, there is a scenic overlook for westbound traffic. The Loveland overlook gives a view of the Loess Hills and Missouri River valley with the Omaha skyline in the distance. Continuing east, I-680 travels over the rolling hills of rural Pottawattamie County
. Four miles (4 miles (6.4 km)) of Neola
, I-680 meets the southern end of Iowa Highway 191
before ending itself 3/4 mi later at a full Y interchange.
In Nebraska, plans for Interstate 280 to bypass Omaha to the north to I-29 were drawn up in the late 1950s. At the same time, plans were being drawn up for an Interstate 280 to bypass the Quad Cities
. Since two interstates cannot have the same designation in the same state, one of the I-280s had to be renumbered. The Omaha I-280 was re-designated as Interstate 680 around 1965. In Iowa, Interstate 80N opened to traffic on December 13, 1966. I-80N extended from the current northern interchange with I-29 near Loveland to the I-80 interchange near Neola.
In the early 1970s, AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, decided that interstates with a directional suffix, such as I-80N, would have to be renumbered. By 1974, I-80N had been re-designated to I-680 to match Nebraska. The last piece of I-680 to be completed in Nebraska was the westbound bridge across the Missouri River
. Paving in Iowa wrapped up in the years to come and the entire route was open to traffic by April 21, 1979.
. The first sections of both I-680 and I-29 closed on June 10. I-29 was closed from North 25th Street to the northern I-680 interchange near Loveland. I-680 was closed from US 75 in Omaha to the southern interchange with I-29. A week later, water was diverted and drained from the area around the northern I-29 interchange to allow traffic to use the roads. I-680 was opened from the interchange to the Beebeetown exit and I-29 was reopened from the interchange to the US 30 exit at Missouri Valley
. I-29 traffic was routed around the flooded area by using I-680 eastbound to I-80 westbound to Council Bluffs.
After flood waters receded and the damage was assessed, sections of I-680 were reopened to traffic. However, the section west of I-29 was the most heavily damaged and it remained closed. Contract bids were let on September 23 and reconstruction began on September 28. Construction crews worked at "an accelerated pace" to complete the road in 34 days. The road was officially reopened on November 2 during a ceremony in Crescent
hosted by Governor Terry Branstad.
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
and Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
is the northern bypass freeway for the Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
-Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
metropolitan area. I-680 spans 42.86 miles (69 km) from its western terminus in western Omaha to its eastern terminus near Neola, Iowa
Neola, Iowa
Neola is a city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 845 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Neola is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. For a 10 miles (16.1 km) stretch, I-680 is co-signed with Interstate 29
Interstate 29
Interstate 29 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern United States. I-29 runs from Kansas City, Missouri, at a junction with Interstate 35 and Interstate 70 to the Canadian border near Pembina, North Dakota, where it connects with Manitoba Highway 75 via the short Manitoba Highway 29.-Route...
. Until 1973, the section in Iowa between the current eastern terminus and I-29 was designated as Interstate 80N. I-680 in Omaha was originally designated Interstate 280. Maps from the early and mid-1960s showed I-280 in Omaha. Since this highway would extend into Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, and I-280 was already planned for the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
area, this route was redesignated I-680.
Route description
Interstate 680 begins a complex interchange with Interstate 80 in OmahaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. Due to the proximity of the Center Road interchange on I-680 and the I and L Street interchanges on I-80, all of the exit and entrance ramps which connect I-80 to I-680 also connect either Center Road or I and L Streets. Two miles (2 miles (3.2 km)) north of Center Road, which prior to 2003 was Nebraska Highway 38, is a new interchange with U.S. Route 6, known as Dodge Street
Dodge Street
Dodge Street is the main east–west street in Omaha, Nebraska. Numbered as U.S. Route 6, the street starts in Downtown Omaha and connects to West Dodge Road around 78th Street. From there it continues westward through the remainder of Douglas County....
in Omaha. Another mile north of Dodge Street is Nebraska Highway 64
Nebraska Highway 64
Nebraska Highway 64 is a highway in Nebraska. There are two segments to the highway. The western segment lies in Butler County between U.S. Highway 81 and Nebraska Highway 15. The eastern segment goes through Saunders and Douglas counties between U.S. Highway 77 and U.S. Highway 75.-Western...
, known as Maple Street.
At Nebraska Highway 133
Nebraska Highway 133
Nebraska Highway 133 is a highway in eastern Nebraska. Its southern terminus is at an intersection with U.S. Highway 6 in Omaha. Its northern terminus is at an intersection with U.S...
, I-680 turns to the east towards Iowa. South of this interchange, I-680 traveled through residential neighborhoods, but to the east, the population thins and the interstate passes through farmland for 4+1/2 mi. I-680 crosses over Nebraska Highway 36
Nebraska Highway 36
Nebraska Highway 36 is a highway in Nebraska. Its western terminus is at U.S. Highway 275 southeast of Fremont and its eastern terminus is at U.S. Highway 75 in Omaha.-Route description:...
, which is accessed via the U.S. Route 75 interchange 1/2 mi later. US 75 runs adjacent to I-680 for one mile (1.6 km) before turning south at 30th Street. The interstate crosses the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
to Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
via the Mormon Bridge
Mormon Bridge (Omaha)
The Mormon Bridge are two truss bridges that cross the Missouri River connecting Pottawattamie County, Iowa with Florence in the north end of Omaha, Nebraska via Interstate 680 .-About:...
.
In Iowa, Interstate 680 is markedly less urban than in Nebraska. The first three miles (3 miles (4.8 km)) of I-680 travel through the flat bottoms of the Missouri River valley. At the interchange west of Crescent
Crescent, Iowa
Crescent is a city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 537 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crescent is located at ....
, I-680 joins Interstate 29 for just under ten miles (10 miles (16.1 km)). The stretch of I-29 / I-680 sits approximately halfway between the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
and the Loess Hills
Loess Hills
The Loess Hills are a formation of wind-deposited loess soil in the westernmost part of Iowa and Missouri along the Missouri River.-Geology:The Loess Hills are generally located between 1 and east of the Missouri River channel...
. Near the unincorporated village of Loveland, I-680 exits from I-29 and turns east again, immediately entering the Loess Hills.
For six miles (6 miles (9.7 km)), I-680 cuts through the rugged Loess Hills. Two miles (2 miles (3.2 km)) east of the I-29 interchange, there is a scenic overlook for westbound traffic. The Loveland overlook gives a view of the Loess Hills and Missouri River valley with the Omaha skyline in the distance. Continuing east, I-680 travels over the rolling hills of rural Pottawattamie County
Pottawattamie County, Iowa
Pottawattamie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 93,158 in the 2010 census, an increase from 87,704 in the 2000 census and is the second largest county by area in Iowa. The Pottawattamie county seat is located at Council Bluffs. It is one of three Iowa...
. Four miles (4 miles (6.4 km)) of Neola
Neola, Iowa
Neola is a city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 845 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Neola is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, I-680 meets the southern end of Iowa Highway 191
Iowa Highway 191
Iowa Highway 191 is a highway in western Iowa. It runs for in a north–south direction. For its entire length, Iowa 191 closely parallels Mosquito Creek and a line of the BNSF Railway. Iowa 191 begins at Interstate 680 north of Neola and ends at Iowa Highway 37 in Earling. Previously, it...
before ending itself 3/4 mi later at a full Y interchange.
History
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
. Since two interstates cannot have the same designation in the same state, one of the I-280s had to be renumbered. The Omaha I-280 was re-designated as Interstate 680 around 1965. In Iowa, Interstate 80N opened to traffic on December 13, 1966. I-80N extended from the current northern interchange with I-29 near Loveland to the I-80 interchange near Neola.
In the early 1970s, AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, decided that interstates with a directional suffix, such as I-80N, would have to be renumbered. By 1974, I-80N had been re-designated to I-680 to match Nebraska. The last piece of I-680 to be completed in Nebraska was the westbound bridge across the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. Paving in Iowa wrapped up in the years to come and the entire route was open to traffic by April 21, 1979.
2011 flooding
Over the course of several months in 2011, I-680 was severely damaged by flood waters from the Missouri RiverMissouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. The first sections of both I-680 and I-29 closed on June 10. I-29 was closed from North 25th Street to the northern I-680 interchange near Loveland. I-680 was closed from US 75 in Omaha to the southern interchange with I-29. A week later, water was diverted and drained from the area around the northern I-29 interchange to allow traffic to use the roads. I-680 was opened from the interchange to the Beebeetown exit and I-29 was reopened from the interchange to the US 30 exit at Missouri Valley
Missouri Valley, Iowa
Missouri Valley is a city in Harrison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,992 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Missouri Valley's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 41.558912, -95.893926...
. I-29 traffic was routed around the flooded area by using I-680 eastbound to I-80 westbound to Council Bluffs.
After flood waters receded and the damage was assessed, sections of I-680 were reopened to traffic. However, the section west of I-29 was the most heavily damaged and it remained closed. Contract bids were let on September 23 and reconstruction began on September 28. Construction crews worked at "an accelerated pace" to complete the road in 34 days. The road was officially reopened on November 2 during a ceremony in Crescent
Crescent, Iowa
Crescent is a city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 537 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crescent is located at ....
hosted by Governor Terry Branstad.
Exit list
See also
- North Omaha, NebraskaNorth Omaha, NebraskaNorth Omaha is a community area in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. It is bordered by Cuming and Dodge Streets on the south, Interstate 680 on the north, North 72nd Street on the west and the Missouri River and Carter Lake, Iowa on the east, as defined by the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Omaha...
- History of North Omaha, NebraskaHistory of North Omaha, NebraskaThe history of North Omaha, Nebraska includes wildcat banks, ethnic enclaves, race riots and social change spanning over 200 years. With a recorded history that pre-dates the rest of the city, North Omaha has roots back to 1812 with the founding of Fort Lisa...
- Timeline of North Omaha, Nebraska historyTimeline of North Omaha, Nebraska historySignificant events in the history of North Omaha, Nebraska include the Pawnee, Otoe and Sioux nations; the African American community; Irish, Czech, and other European immigrants, and; several other populations. Several important settlements and towns were built in the area, as well as important...
- Landmarks in North Omaha, Nebraska