DES MOINES, Iowa – Traffic patterns are changing as crews are continuing their work on the Hickman Road interchange.

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 10 p.m., the Iowa DOT says crews will close Interstate 80/35 for the night until 4 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 to install temporary barriers and pavement markings for ramp closures.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 4, the northbound I-35, eastbound I-80 University Avenue on-ramp, and the Hickman road off-ramp will close.

In late August, the Iowa DOT closed both the southbound I-35 and westbound I-80 Douglas Avenue on-ramps along the Hickman Road off-ramp.

Those four ramps are expected to remain closed through the remainder of 2025.

With the ramp closures, drivers will need to rely on detours to get around that area of the metro.

“I understand the frustration of trying to get around the metro in that area is difficult right now. I would just ask people to be patient, look for the detour signs that are out there,” said Scott Nixon, District Construction Engineer with the Iowa DOT.

Drivers are encouraged to use 121st Street, Meredith Drive, Douglas Parkway, and Northwest 128th Street to get around the southbound detours. Northbound traffic will use a similar combination of roads as the detour.

The entire project is slated to be done in 2028.