Interstate 480 Nebraska/Iowa - Interstate Travel Information
Interstate 480 Nebraska/Iowa
Routing
Interstate 480 represents the inner belt freeway of the Omaha Metropolitan area as it travels
through downtown to Council Bluffs. The highway shares pavement with U.S. 75 on its north-south stretch and with U.S. 6 across the Missouri River to the eastern terminus at Interstate 29. Interstate 480 switches cardinal directions at the U.S. 75 departure at the northwest corner. The U.S. 75 freeway north of Interstate 480 was initially designated as Interstate 580, but the Interstate designation was removed.
Interstate 480 forms an inner loop freeway system between Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa.
History
Interstate 480 between the Nebraska-Iowa State Line and Interstate 29 in Council Bluffs opened on November 12, 1966.3
Planned Improvements
Ghost ramps at the Interstate 480 and U.S. 75 interchange in midtown Omaha will be removed in a three year construction project to improve the inner loop. At stake is the removal of 1970s built ramps at the junction where Interstate 480 turns from the south to the east. These ramps were built in preparation for an abandoned plan to construct an east-west freeway through Omaha. Of these, the northbound U.S. 75 on-ramp and eastbound Interstate 480 on-ramps from 30th Street will be demolished. Traffic to Interstate 480 from 30th Street will be diverted to a new Interstate 480 on-ramp from the intersection of 28th and Dodge (U.S. 6) Streets. Construction will begin Fall of 2004.1 For more, visit Nebraska Transportation.Org: I-480/US 75 project.
Mileage
State
Mileage
Cities
Junctions
Nebraska
4.15
Omaha
Interstate 80
Iowa
0.75
Council Bluffs
Interstate 29
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List
Immediately after Interstate 480 turns south to join U.S. 75, this sign assembly advises motorists that the final exit (Exit 1A, Martha Street) is 1.25 miles ahead, followed by the southern terminus of Interstate 480 at Interstate 80 (Exits 452A-B). The "South Kennedy Freeway" is the continuation of U.S. 75 as a freeway south of Interstate 80. Note the absence of an Interstate 480 shield on the pull through overhead sign. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Continuing south, Interstate 480 and U.S. 75 approach Exit 1, Martha Street (former Nebraska 38) in one-half mile. The junction with Interstate 80 is a mile south of here. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Southbound Interstate 480 and U.S. 75 reaches Exit 1, Martha Street (former Nebraska 38). The pull through sign for U.S. 75 advises through traffic to remain in the left lane; the right three lanes connect to Interstate 80 east/west. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
This sign provides lane assignments for the Interstate 80 interchange. The left lane is for continuing traffic along southbound U.S. 75. The number two lane (second from left) is for eastbound Interstate 80. The right two lanes are for westbound Interstate 80. The numbering convention utilizes Interstate 80 exit numbers instead of Exit 0 for this junction. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
The connection to westbound Interstate 80 (signed as Exit 452C based on the mileage of Interstate 80) is a three lane exit. A sign is posted for the next exit along Interstate 80 west (Exit 451, 42nd Street). The left two lanes continue south briefly before they split into U.S. 75 and Interstate 80 east. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
The two-lane connection for U.S. 75 southbound has a suggested speed of 45 miles per hour. Notably, Interstate 480 more or less has disappeared. The Interstate does not have an end shield. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Southbound U.S. 75 reaches the transition ramp to eastbound Interstate 80 en route to Council Bluffs, Iowa. U.S. 75 continues south along the Kennedy Freeway toward Offutt Air Force Base. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
After departing from Interstate 80, this mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits: F Street, L Street, and Q Street. The freeway bends a bit further to the east before turning south again. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Southbound U.S. 75 reaches the offramp for F Street. The next exit is Junction U.S. 275/Nebraska 92, L Street. U.S. 75 continues south from here as a freeway. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Perspective from Interstate 80 east
After the 42nd Street interchange, these signs advise of the junction between eastbound Interstate 80, northbound Interstate 480/U.S. 75, and southbound U.S. 75. To Bellevue, follow U.S. 75 south; to downtown Omaha and Eppley Airfield, use Interstate 480 and U.S. 75 north. Both routes are freeways. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Nearing the southern terminus of Interstate 480 on Interstate 80 eastbound, three lanes are allocated for Exit 452 while Interstate 80 continues with three through lanes. This interchange was reconstructed to accommodate the additional traffic flow. Downtown Omaha is just two miles to the north. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Now on the ramp from eastbound Interstate 80 to Interstate 480 and U.S. 75, the three-lane ramp divides here. The right lane branches off to southbound U.S. 75/Kennedy Freeway, while the three main lanes angle north to join northbound Interstate 480/U.S. 75. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Perspective from Interstate 80 west
After crossing the Missouri River to leave Iowa and enter Nebraska, westbound Interstate 80 approaches the junction with Interstate 480 and U.S. 75 almost immediately, right after Exit 454, 13th Street. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Use Interstate 480/U.S. 75 north to downtown Omaha, Eppley Airfield, and points north. U.S. 75 south travels toward Bellevue, initially as a freeway. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 452, Junction Interstate 480/U.S. 75. Use this exit to connect to both north and south; the ramp provides access to both directions. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Now on the transition ramp from Interstate 80 west to Interstate 480/U.S. 75 north and U.S. 75 south, the configuration looks like a dual freeway (even though it is not - the transition ramp exits only to Interstate 480 and U.S. 75). Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).
At the end of the transition ramp, the left lane connects to U.S. 75 south, while the right lane connects to Interstate 480 and U.S. 75 north. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).
Here is a view of the U.S. 75 flyover ramps that connect Interstate 480 directly to U.S. 75 as the ramps cross over the mainline of Interstate 80 west. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Perspective from U.S. 75 north
Now on northbound U.S. 75/Kennedy Freeway, the first indication of the pending junction with Interstate 80 and Interstate 480 is shown on this mileage sign, which also shows the distance to the junction with U.S. 275/Nebraska 92 and F Street. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
After the U.S. 275/Nebraska 92 interchange, the next mileage sign again shows the distance to the Interstate 80 and Interstate 480 interchange. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Use the left two lanes of northbound U.S. 75 to transition directly onto Interstate 480/U.S. 75 northbound. Use the right lane to connect to Interstate 80 east and west. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
A new auxiliary right lane joins northbound U.S. 75 to offer a direct connection to eastbound Interstate 80 to Council Bluffs and Interstate 29. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Two right lanes exit onto eastbound Interstate 80, while the two left lanes follow U.S. 75 north to Interstate 480. The middle lane will connect to Interstate 80 west. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Northbound Interstate 480 begins alongside U.S. 75 after the offramp to Interstate 80 westbound. Both directions of U.S. 75 are built on a viaduct through here. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Perspective from Interstate 480 north
Interstate 480 has these unique Zero Mileposts along north and southbound Interstate 480/U.S. 75. The assembly features a small Interstate 480 shield and the mileage to the nearest tenth. Depicted here is the southbound 0.0 milepost. Photo taken by Bruce Telefyan (08/04/02).
These are the first reassurance shields along northbound Interstate 480/U.S. 75 after the Interstate 80 interchange. Downtown Omaha comes into view to the northeast. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
The first interchange of Interstate 480 is Exit 1A with former Nebraska 38 - Martha Street. The pull-through panel now features the cardinal direction of east instead of north (compare that to the first shield in the previous photo). The signing convention for Interstate 480 and 680 in the Omaha area is to sign the north-south orientated segments with north-south banners. This sign appears to be an exception to that rule. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
A mile or so further north, Interstate 480 and U.S. 75 prepare to split. Use the left lane to continue north on U.S. 75 (former Interstate 580) to Eppley Airfield and the Qwest Center. The two right lanes angle east to follow Interstate 480 toward downtown Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Eastern Terminus - Interstate 29 - Council Bluffs, Iowa
Perspective from Interstate 480/U.S. 6 east
Passing to the north of downtown Omaha just east of the U.S. 75 interchange, eastbound Interstate 480 offers several connections to downtown Omaha in short succession. The tall buildings of downtown rise close to the elevated freeway, which prepares to cross the Missouri River to leave Omaha and enter Council Bluffs, Iowa. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Eastbound Interstate 480 reaches Exit 3A, 14th Street (which serves Qwest Center Omaha and the Old Market District). The next exit is the junction with Interstate 29 on the east side of the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).
Leaving Omaha, U.S. 6 quickly merges onto eastbound Interstate 480 here (new right lane). Continuing east, Interstate 480 crosses the Missouri River and enters the state of Iowa, where Interstate 480 quickly encounters its terminal interchange with Interstate 29. This sign bridge omits Interstate 480 from the pull-through panel, electing to display the newly overlapped U.S. 6 instead. The federal highway leaves the Interstate system at the upcoming junction into Council Bluffs. Photo by AARoads (09/05/05).
After departing the Missouri River bridge, this sign bridge indicates that Interstate 480 ends here, at Exits 1A-B for the junction with Interstate 29. The mainline of Interstate 480/U.S. 6 transitions directly onto West Broadway toward Downtown. The federal highway U.S. 6 continues via Kanesville Boulevard to Interstate 80 Exit 8. Photo by AARoads (09/05/05).
The ramps to Interstate 29 depart independently of the Interstate 480/U.S. 6 mainline to this partition of Exits 1A/1B. The Interstate 29 and 80 overlap begins two miles to the south. Ninety-one miles to the north is the control city of Sioux City. Photo by AARoads (09/05/05).
Now on the ramp to Interstate 29, the left lane travels north to Sioux City while the right lane travels south to Interstate 80 and Missouri. Photo by AARoads (09/05/05).
Back on Interstate 480 east and U.S. 6 east, after traffic for Interstate 29 departs, overhead pull through signs (left two lanes) advise of U.S. 6 east to Council Bluffs. The right lane will exit only to 2nd Avenue. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).
Perspective from Interstate 29 south
This is the first signage for Interstate 480 along southbound Interstate 29, found at Exit 55, 35th Street. U.S. 6 is noticeably absent from the Exit 53B sign panel. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Prior to the G Avenue interchange (Exit 54A) and the Interstate 480/U.S. 6 interchange (Exit 53B), the downtown skyline of Omaha, Nebraska, comes into view on southbound Interstate 29. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Southbound Interstate 29 reaches Exit 54A, G Avenue. The next exit along southbound is Exit 53B, Interstate 480/U.S. 6 west to Omaha. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Rounding another bend, southbound Interstate 29 reaches Exit 53B, Junction Interstate 480/U.S. 6 west to Omaha. Interstate 480 will only spend a brief moment in Iowa before crossing the Missouri River into Nebraska. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
As is standard practice in Iowa, the transition ramp from southbound Interstate 29 to westbound Interstate 480 has a reassurance shield, as does the mainline for Interstate 29. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Perspective from Interstate 480/U.S. 6 west
This is the first reassurance shield for Interstate 480 and U.S. 6 along westbound (on the ramp from Interstate 29). The Missouri River bridge is visible in the distance (near the green guide signs). Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Another shield assembly for Interstate 480 and U.S. 6 west is posted on the ramp from downtown Council Bluffs and U.S. 6 west. Photo taken by Steve Hanudel (05/15/06).
Interstate 480 and U.S. 6 west prepare to cross the Missouri River. Carter Lake, a city that is part of Iowa yet uniquely located west of the Missouri River, is surrounded on three sides by Omaha and on the fourth side by the river. As a result, access to Carter Lake, Iowa, requires travel through Nebraska. Use Exit 4 (U.S. 6 west) to Abbott Drive north. Abbott Drive is not a state highway in Omaha, but it is designated as Iowa 165 in Carter Lake, making Iowa 165 the shortest state highway in Iowa.2 Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Westbound Interstate 480 and U.S. 6 leave Iowa and enter Nebraska, the Cornhusker State. Note that the control "city" for Interstate 480 is "To Interstate 80." The first exit along westbound Interstate 480 in Nebraska is where U.S. 6 splits from the freeway and merges onto Dodge Street. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Westbound Interstate 480 and U.S. 6 divide at Exit 4. U.S. 6/Dodge Street is the first of two exits that serve downtown Omaha; the second exit is Exit 3, 14th Street. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Passing by the Qwest Center, westbound Interstate 480 travels on a elevated viaduct as the freeway skirts the northern edge of downtown Omaha. The next exit is Exit 3, 14th Street (to the Old Market District, Downtown, and Creighton University), followed by the junction with the U.S. 75 freeway. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
One mile west of the previous photograph, Interstate 480 meets the offramp to northbound U.S. 75 (which was closed due to construction activities at the time this photo was taken). Interstate 480 turns south to join U.S. 75 en route to Interstate 80. Photo taken by AARoads (09/05/05).
Perspective from Interstate 29 north
Northbound Interstate 29 approaches its junction with Interstate 480 and U.S. 6 in Council Bluffs. Interstate 480 travels west into Nebraska, connecting Council Bluffs with Omaha. Photo taken by Jeff Royston (03/16/05).
Footnotes:
"New Interstate Construction Planned." WOWT - Omaha, October 17, 2003.
