The details are still sketchy as to when work will begin, but officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation have indicated to Cass County Engineer Charles Marker, they have a construction project planned for the County Road M-56 bridge over Interstate 80 (north of Marne), which is expected to create heavier traffic flow on nearby roads. Marker says the DOT will be refurbishing the bridge deck. He says he doesn’t know if they will be closing the entrance and exit ramps to accomplish the work, but if the do, it will have a major effect on traffic in the area.

He says if the entrance and exits ramps are left open, it could mean heavier traffic on Boston Road. Marker says traffic would likely travel on Boston Road, one-mile east, under I-80 and coming back on the county-line road north, if they wish to travel to Omaha.

Marker says when a numbered State route is closed, the Elk Horn road (Highway 173), or Highway 83 west to Omaha, could be major thoroughfares when work begins. No time frame has been established as of yet, so it’s unclear how soon traffic in the area will be disrupted, or to what extent.