F-48 W Phase 3

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- How we got here -

F-48 W was originally constructed as an 18-foot wide (Two 9-foot lanes) concrete paved road by the State of Iowa in the 1920s and was known as Federal Aid Project No. 64 or F. Project No. 64, by the 1930’s this road was designated U.S. Road No. 6. Then in the 1940’s the state widened to 30 feet and overlaid with concrete the section between Cherry Creek and Newton, in the 1950’s widened to 24 feet and overlaid in asphalt the section from Cherry Creek to the Polk County line, and in 1977 replaced the bridge over the railroad. The state transferred jurisdiction of this road in the late 1990’s or early 2000’s to Jasper County.

F-48 W is a highly traveled roadway. Average annual daily traffic count ranges from about 1,300 at the Polk County line to almost 4,000 at the Newton city limits. For comparison IA-117 between Colfax and Prairie City sees about 1,700 vehicles per day. Given the traffic count this is an important road to maintain in good condition. Hence, the current F-48 W rehabilitation, primarily consisting of the removal and replacement of the asphalt surface, project from Newton to the Polk County Line.

- Plans for the Project-

Weather permitting work to replace a bridge and realign F-48 W through a curve will begin on July 6th, 2026 and continue until September 25, 2026. Work will be located approximately 2.75 miles east of the Polk County Line. Expect a hard closure of the road at this curve from the middle of July until the middle of September. Traffic will be detoured through Mitchellville onto I-80 and over to IA 117 in Colfax. After the bridge is replaced and pavement work is complete, the road will continue to be closed to thru traffic until the end of September.

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Timeline

Phase 1

3 months

Actual letting of the first section occurred in August 2023 (FY2024) and the work was completed during the Spring-Summer of 2024. This first phase of F-48 W rehabilitation also included the removal and replacement of concrete approaches to the I-80 overpass at the Baxter exit. Additionally, the first phase repaired curb and gutter and reconstructed storm water inlets in the urban section between Newton city limits and Cherry Creek. Lastly, it included the lining of crossroad pipe culverts and safety improvements. Total length of improvement was 5.8 miles.

Phase 2

3 months

The second phase was let in November 2024 (FY2025) and the work was completed during the Spring-Summer of 2025. In addition to the mill and overlay of the asphalt surface this project included the removal and replacement of the concrete approaches at the bridge over IAIS railroad, asphalt paving over rubblized existing concrete that continued past the bridge approaches, and the realignment of S 28th Ave W and its intersection with F-48 W to improve sight distance. Moreover, the realignment of S 28th Ave W also included the removal of W 92nd St S between S 28th Ave W and F-48 W. Finally, it included pipe culvert work and safety improvements. Total length of improvement was 3.1 miles.

Phase 3

3 months

The third and final phase was let in April 2026 (FY2026) and the work is scheduled to start June 8th, 2026. In addition to the mill and overlay of the asphalt surface this project also includes the realignment of first curve east of the county line and the replacement of the bridge originally programmed as a separate project. The bridge will be replaced with precast reinforced concrete box culvert sections installed in the new curve alignment. The curve will receive full depth asphalt over a cement treated subgrade. In addition, the project includes pipe culvert work and safety improvements. Total length of improvement will be 5.3 miles.