History
Construction of Interstate 29 began in the late 1950s in the Sioux City area. The first section to open, a 3-mile (4.8 km) long stretch from the Big Sioux River to the then-US 20 / US 77 bridge across the Missouri River, opened around October 1, 1958. In September 1961, I-29 was extended across the Big Sioux River to South Dakota. On April 1, 1962, one of the directional spans collapsed 4 feet (1.2 m) as a result of flooding, but did not fall into the river.
North of Council Bluffs, a 20-mile (32 km) section to Missouri Valley opened in November 1958. By December 1967, the two sections were connected, creating 100 miles (160 km) of continuous interstate highway. Due to a shortage of male workers, at least 20 women were enlisted to help build this section of I-29. The women were paid $2.00 hourly ($14.00 hourly in 2013 dollars), the same wage as men would have earned.
Construction of I-29 in the Council Bluffs area was completed in 1970 and the route was open to Glenwood in the same year. Additional interchanges were added in the Sioux City and Council Bluffs areas between 1970 and 1971. The last 30 miles (48 km) of interstate were constructed and opened in sections over the next two years; the last section opened on December 15, 1972.
In 1973, US 34 was expanded to four lanes near Glenwood, which resulted in US 34 being rerouted onto I-29 for 3 miles (4.8 km). In 2003, US 275 was rerouted onto I-29 from the same interchange near Glenwood northward to Iowa 92 at Council Bluffs. The former US 275 alignment was turned over to Mills and Pottawattamie Counties.
Much of I-29 was built next to existing highways, most notably US 75. When the section of I-29 opened between Council Bluffs and Missouri Valley, US 75 was rerouted onto I-29. When construction connecting the Sioux City and Council Bluffs segments was completed, US 75 was again rerouted onto I-29. In the mid-1980s, US 75, from Council Bluffs to Sioux City, was completely rerouted out of Iowa, instead extending up the former US 73 corridor in Nebraska.
Read more about this topic: Interstate 29 In Iowa
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