(Ames)– Some big changes could be in the works for Highway 18 from the west city limits of Sanborn to Highway 71 at the north edge of Spencer. The Iowa Department of Transportation has released what it’s calling a U.S. Highway 18 Super-2 Corridor Vision Statement for the 26 mile stretch of road. D.O.T officials say it addresses safety concerns identified in a recent survey…
“Super-2 highways provide improved safety and movement by reducing the potential for severe head-on crashes with on-coming traffic by providing passing opportunities for faster moving vehicles. Passing opportunities are created by providing passing lanes at regular spacing about every four to five miles. The length of the passing lane is adjusted depending on the roadway and the features of a particular section along the corridor such as level or rolling land, entrance or exit points and other site specific conditions.”
Super-2 designs also include wider, paved shoulders…
“There are several benefits to a Super-2 design. Namely, it can improve safety and traffic functions allowing travelers to safely pass slower moving vehicles or wide loads that can use wider, paved shoulders. It reduces the cost of building four lanes when a Super-2 can manage current and future traffic. Environmental and land impacts in the corridor are reduced, and future maintenance costs are reduced with a small area compared with a four lane highway.”
D.O.T officials say safety improvements would also be made at school crossings on the west side of Hartley. They are quick to point, however, that the vision document does NOT result in funding for any specific recommended improvement but will be used as a guide for any future projects as funds become available. They add that a future improvement could be included with future work, such as a re-paving project. That’s currently scheduled to take place from the east city limits of Hartley to Highway 71 just north of Spencer in 2029.
The Iowa D.O.T is accepting public comment on the vision document through June 15th, 2026. Click here for more information.
