The Iowa DOT is conducting a wide-ranging study on the future of Interstate-80 (I-80) within the borders of our state. Citing increased traffic congestion, more crashes and fatalities, changes in vehicle automation and significant anticipated freight traffic growth, a big piece of the study is evaluating the possibility of expanding the number of lanes from the current four to six.

Reconstructing the highway interstate system will require the removal of existing overhead structures, known as overpasses, to accommodate the additional...