Iowa DOT plans temporary traffic signal in Swisher due to I-380 congestion, data center construction
The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to install a temporary traffic signal in Swisher to manage increased congestion stemming from I-380 backups and ongoing data center construction in southwest Cedar Rapids. Residents are skeptical the temporary measure will resolve the traffic and safety concerns caused by drivers cutting through town.
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) announced plans to install a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 965 and 120th Street Northwest in Swisher, Iowa. This measure is intended to mitigate increased traffic congestion ahead of a two-month closure of a southbound Wright Brothers Boulevard ramp on I-380, scheduled for July. The DOT attributes the traffic surge to I-380 backups and ongoing data center construction in southwest Cedar Rapids.
Local residents, including Kate Reder and Curtis Hartsock, expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the temporary signal. Reder noted that drivers already cut through Swisher to bypass congestion, making the intersection dangerous, and believes the signal will only prolong backups rather than resolve them. Hartsock added that the problem extends to neighborhood and gravel roads, as drivers seek alternate routes, exacerbating the overall congestion. Residents are seeking long-term solutions, not temporary fixes, for the persistent traffic issues.