What's torn up around Ankeny right now, so you can route around it
The quick answer
Biggest jobsWest First St, North and South Ankeny Blvd, and I-35 north to Huxley
Before winterI-35 northbound ramp at NE 36th St due back late November
Into 2027North Ankeny Blvd (spring 2027), South Ankeny Blvd (end of 2027)
AlertsCity "Notify Me" street construction list, plus 511ia.org
PotholesCity Report a Concern form, or Public Works at 515-963-3520
NE Trilein Drive reconstruction
North of NE 18th St to south of NE Cambridge Ct
finishing this fall
Per the city's Oct 8 update, crews are on Stage 3 backfilling, ADA ramps and manhole adjustments, and Stages 1-2 are being seeded. The Stage 3 closure runs from north of NE Northbrook/Bristol Dr to north of NE 18th St, including that intersection. Completion is expected this fall.
West First Street widening, Phase 2
NW Greenwood St to State St
2-year project
West First is going to five lanes. Traffic runs two-way on the south lanes, and the NW/SW Cedarwood Dr intersection is closed. Starting Mon Oct 26 (weather permitting), traffic shifts to the outside lane in each direction from NW Greenwood St to east of Linden St while crews pave the center turn lane. Stage 1 wraps in 2026 and Stage 2 (Linden to State St) follows in 2027.
Westlawn Place area utilities, Phase 1
Around the Ankeny Art Center, SW State St and SW 4th St
active
Per the city's Oct 8 update, SW 4th St and its intersections are paved, and driveways and sidewalks are going in through the first half of October; streets reopen once the concrete is backfilled. The SW State Street frontage road stays closed between the Art Center and SW 4th St, so reach the Art Center from SW Ordnance Rd.
North Ankeny Boulevard improvements
N Ankeny Blvd, with NE Ninth St east of the boulevard closed
Iowa DOT ยท active
A joint city and Iowa DOT project, 1st to 11th St, with completion expected in spring 2027. Per the city's Oct 2 update, the contractor is doing subgrade preparation at NE Ninth St, which has been closed east of N Ankeny Blvd since Aug 25; the detour uses NE Grant St, NE Fifth St and N Ankeny Blvd.
New signal at SE Oralabor Rd & SE Four Mile Dr
SE Oralabor Rd at SE Four Mile Dr
switching on in November
Per the city's Oct 14 update, the intersection stays an all-way stop until the new traffic signal is turned on, expected in early November.
I-35 northbound ramp at NE 36th St
NB I-35 entrance ramp, NE 36th St
Iowa DOT · closed
The city's April 10 notice has the ramp closed since Apr 13 through late November. The detour is southbound I-35 to the East 1st St interchange, turn around, then the East 1st St northbound ramp.
The live map: the City keeps an interactive map with every active project, timeline, and detour at ankenyiowa.gov/construction. We'll flag the big changes here each week.
The big ones
What are the biggest road projects in Ankeny right now?
As of late October 2026, the jobs that shape most commutes are West First Street (see the card above), both halves of Ankeny Boulevard (US 69), and the I-35 widening north of town.
South Ankeny Boulevard (US 69), 1st Street to SE Peterson Drive. The Iowa DOT schedules this one from March 2026 through the end of 2027, in four stages. The finished road is five lanes with a raised median, two travel lanes each way, and left-turn lanes at 1st Street, 3rd Street and SE Peterson Drive. 2nd Street becomes right-in, right-out only. Side streets are right-in, right-out during construction.
North Ankeny Boulevard, 1st to 11th Street. A joint city and Iowa DOT rebuild of the southbound lanes (and northbound lanes from 1st to 5th), with right-turn lanes at 5th, 9th and 11th Streets. The city lists completion as spring 2027.
I-35, Ankeny to Huxley. The DOT is rebuilding and widening nine miles of I-35 from four lanes to six, from the 36th Street interchange to the 315th Street bridge near Huxley, with five new bridges and two new interchanges. Budget: $163.6 million. The 2026 work is new northbound lanes along the whole stretch. The DOT project page does not post an overall finish date.
Timing
What wraps up before winter, and what comes back in spring 2027?
A handful of closures should clear before the snow flies, but the big corridor jobs carry over. Here is the posted timing as of late October 2026. Weather moves all of it.
Done already: the SE Creekview Drive extension north of SE Oralabor Road, a new two-lane road with sidewalk and street lights, finished on schedule in late August, per the city.
Due before winter: the northbound I-35 entrance ramp at NE 36th Street (Exit 94), closed since April 13, reopens in late November when northbound traffic moves onto the new pavement, per the DOT. The new signal at SE Oralabor Road and SE Four Mile Drive is expected to switch on in early November, and NE Trilein Drive is expected to finish this fall.
Back in 2027: West First Street Stage 2 (Linden to State Street), the end of North Ankeny Boulevard (spring 2027), and South Ankeny Boulevard, which the DOT schedules through the end of 2027. The I-35 widening north to Huxley continues too.
Our advice: if you commute on Ankeny Boulevard, plan on lane shifts through all of 2027, not just this season.
Stay ahead
How do I get Ankeny road closure alerts?
Sign up for the city's "City of Ankeny Street Construction Updates" list on its Notify Me page, and use 511 for state highways.
City alerts:ankenyiowa.gov/list.aspx. Pick Street Construction Updates. The same page has an "Ankeny Snow Ordinance Parking Bans" list, which is worth adding before winter.
Iowa 511:511ia.org, the 511 app, or call 511 in Iowa (800-288-1047 from anywhere). The DOT also offers 511 email and text alerts.
I-35 project: the DOT's Ankeny to Huxley page has an email signup for construction updates, and the "Des Moines Area Interstate Projects" Facebook page posts closures.
Report it
Who do I call about a pothole or road problem in Ankeny?
Use the city's Report a Concern page for potholes on city streets, or call Ankeny Public Works at 515-963-3520.
Online:Report a Concern has separate forms for potholes, roadkill and debris; downed or missing signs; signal problems or timing; sidewalks, curbs and manhole covers; and broken streetlights. The city reviews submissions during business hours.
Urgent: for a water main break, sinkhole, sewer backup or street flooding, call 515-286-3333.
State roads: I-35 and Ankeny Boulevard (US 69) are Iowa DOT routes. I-35 project questions go to the DOT's Marshalltown construction office, 641-752-4657; South Ankeny Boulevard questions go to the DOT's Grimes construction office, 515-986-2850.
Snow season: the same page has forms for a street not cleared after 24 hours, and for mailboxes or sod damaged by city plows.
Ankeny road construction: FAQ
Where can I find current road closures in Ankeny?
This page tracks active road construction and closures around Ankeny. For real-time, official detour information, the Iowa DOT's 511ia.org is the authoritative statewide source.
Why is there so much construction in Ankeny?
As one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities, Ankeny is constantly building and widening roads to keep up with new housing and commercial development, so seasonal construction is common, especially spring through fall.
When will the I-35 northbound ramp at NE 36th Street reopen?
The Iowa DOT says the northbound I-35 entrance ramp at NE 36th Street (Exit 94) stays closed until late November 2026, when northbound traffic moves onto the new pavement. Until then, take southbound I-35 to the East 1st Street interchange, turn around, and use the East 1st Street northbound ramp.
How long will South Ankeny Boulevard be under construction?
The Iowa DOT schedules the South Ankeny Boulevard (US 69) project, 1st Street to SE Peterson Drive, from March 2026 through the end of 2027 in four stages. The finished road is five lanes with a raised median and left-turn lanes at 1st Street, 3rd Street and SE Peterson Drive.
How do I report a pothole in Ankeny?
Use the Pothole, Roadkill and Debris form on the city's Report a Concern page at ankenyiowa.gov, or call Ankeny Public Works at 515-963-3520. For a water main break, sinkhole or street flooding, call 515-286-3333.
Get the free weekly Ankeny Brief
Local news, home sales, new places, and what's happening around town. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.