Work on the two-year Iowa 58/Viking Road interchange project in Cedar Falls continues. New traffic patterns will begin Monday morning, April 30, and continue until the end of the 2018 construction season, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office.

Both directions of traffic on Iowa 58 will be in a head-to-head traffic pattern in the southbound lanes until late November. Both directions of Viking Road traffic will be in a head-to-head traffic pattern in the westbound lanes until mid-summer. At that time, the head-to-head traffic will be shifted onto the eastbound lanes until late November.

While in these traffic patterns, the speed limit on Iowa 58 will be reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph, and the speed limit on Viking Road will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph.

The change to a head-to-head traffic pattern may result in traffic congestion that could cause traffic backups and delays during peak times. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes to avoid the congestion. Alternate routes for local traffic to avoid Iowa 58 would be via Hudson Road or Cedar Heights Drive. Through traffic may use U.S. 218, U.S. 63 south of U.S. 218, or Hudson Road to avoid the congestion on Iowa 58.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

For more information about this and other Iowa DOT construction projects in Black Hawk and Bremer counties, follow the Black Hawk and Bremer County Construction Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlackHawkBremerCo#!BlackHawkBremerCo.