SALIX, Iowa (KTIV) -
Interstate 29 in downtown Sioux City is in the middle of a major overhaul. But, a few miles south near Salix the Iowa DOT is getting input on another construction project that will take place
In two years crews will replace the aging Port Neal Interchange a lifeline for industries like the MidAmerican Energy power plant Gelita and C-F Industries.
Mike Patterson, a Salix farmer said, "My son and I own land on three sides of the Port Neal Interchange."
Built in 1959, the Port Neal interchange has its fair share of issues. Not only is it old, the bridge is too low and too narrow. So, the Iowa Department of Transportation has plans to build a new one.
That allows the existing bridge and ramps to be used during construction... making sure traffic can get to and from the industries located there.
Darwin Bishop, District Construction Engineer said, "We'll relocate traffic to the southside and the reason we did this was this will allow us to keep traffic on current D51 using the ramps to the north."
The 8.65 million dollar project, comes with the issue of farmland and the six properties affected.
Darwin Bishop, District Construction Engineer added, "Some of the property owners that we are going to have to purchase land from are concerned about losing their land. Nobody likes to lose farmland. But generally it's a positive reaction we've got."
Mike Patterson is positive about the project, and extremely happy with the DOT.
"I think they weighed all the evidence and all the complaints and all the needs of the people in this community and the businesses and didn't abandon them. And I think the DOT did a good job."
