Cedar Falls Highway Plan Close To Finalization

Engineers have developed a plan for safety improvements on a busy stretch of Iowa Highway 58 in Cedar Falls that's considered one the most-dangerous traffic corridors in Iowa.

According to design plans developed by a Waterloo engineering consultant, the improvements would include building interchanges at Greenhill and Viking Roads and revamping the current interchange at U.S. Highway 20. The plans show Highway 58 passing over Greenhill Road and under Viking Road.

Before Cedar Falls city leaders give the go-ahead for the $26 million project, an environmental impact study must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA). Barring any unforeseen issues, a public hearing on the proposed project likely will be held in June.

If the project is approved, construction is projected to start in 2017. Work to improve the traffic flow on Highway 58 – also known as the “Avenue of the Saints” or Iowa Highway 27 – won't be finished until 2018.

Highway 58-Viking Road is No. 5 on the Iowa Department of Transportation's list of the most-dangerous intersections in the state. Statistics show 77 accidents have occurred at the intersection between 2008 and 2013, with 12 resulting in injuries.