New roundabout along Newton Road to open week of Dec. 16

Construction of a new roundabout along Newton Road is nearly complete and will open the week of Dec. 16, barring any unforeseen complications. Only minor landscaping in the center of the roundabout remains.

The roundabout is part of a new road that will extend from the roundabout south to the current fountain entrance of University of Iowa Health Care's university campus. Work on that portion of the road will continue through spring and summer 2025.

The sidewalk along the north side of Newton Road is expected to be reinstalled in early 2025, dependent on the weather. While the sidewalk detours are in place, please continue to use them for your safety.

Adjacent to the roundabout is the new Health Sciences Interchange. The new bus interchange will accommodate up to five buses at a time and will allow riders to easily identify which direction a bus is traveling. Bus service for Cambus and city buses to the new interchange and the existing VA Hospital and Hardin Library stops will resume by Dec. 23.

The new road is one of several projects that need to be completed before construction on a new adult inpatient care tower for UI Health Care can begin.

The project also will allow the university to consider improvements for bicycling and walking paths in the area.

The project remains on time and on budget.