Cherokee, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Iowa Department of Transportation is reimagining the highway 18 corridor from Spencer to Sanborn. Location Engineer Gary Harris says there were 131 crashes in the 26 mile stretch reported between 2021 and 2025, with 40 ocurring at intersections. He says upgrading the two-lane road to a “Super-Two” status would smooth out some of the bottlenecks.

One upgrade would be the addition of turning lanes, especially around the schools in Hartley and Sanborn. Harris says the upgrades are an economical way to speed traffic through the corridor.

Public input is still being accepted on the play to upgrade Highway 18 through June 15th. Harris adds that upgrades would likely be made in peace-meal intervals when money is available, not one overall reconstruction project.