Iowa Highway 70
Encyclopedia
Iowa Highway 70 is a state highway spanning 24 miles (38.6 km) from north to south in eastern Iowa
. It begins at Iowa Highway 92 in Columbus Junction
, and ends at U.S. Highway 6 in West Liberty
.
and the Cedar River near Columbus Junction
. It bypasses Columbus Junction to the north and east, then straightens out and crosses the Iowa River. As the Iowa River meanders away, the highway passes riverfront houses on the banks of the Cedar River. The Cedar also meanders away and Iowa 70 enters Conesville
. It continues north towards Nichols
, following an abandoned Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway
line. At Nichols, Iowa 70 intersects Iowa Highway 22 and the two highways overlap
for 3 miles (4.8 km). From the split with Iowa 22, Iowa 70 heads north towards West Liberty
. Iowa 70 ends at an intersection with U.S. Route 6 in West Liberty.
in northeastern Iowa. The original route ran from Columbus City
to West Liberty
. In the mid-1990s, a short bypass was built around Columbus Junction
. Iowa 70 traffic was rerouted onto the bypass where it ends today. The old segment stayed remained in the primary highway system until July 1, 2003, when it was turned over to Louisa County
.
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. It begins at Iowa Highway 92 in Columbus Junction
Columbus Junction, Iowa
Columbus Junction is a city in Louisa County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,900 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, and ends at U.S. Highway 6 in West Liberty
West Liberty, Iowa
West Liberty is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,332 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area....
.
Route description
Iowa Highway 70 begins less than 1 miles (1.6 km) from the confluence of the Iowa RiverIowa River
The Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the state of Iowa in the United States. It is about long and is open to small river craft to Iowa City, about from its mouth...
and the Cedar River near Columbus Junction
Columbus Junction, Iowa
Columbus Junction is a city in Louisa County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,900 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. It bypasses Columbus Junction to the north and east, then straightens out and crosses the Iowa River. As the Iowa River meanders away, the highway passes riverfront houses on the banks of the Cedar River. The Cedar also meanders away and Iowa 70 enters Conesville
Conesville, Iowa
Conesville is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 424 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Conesville is located at ....
. It continues north towards Nichols
Nichols, Iowa
Nichols is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 374 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Nichols is located at ....
, following an abandoned Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway is a railroad that operated from 1876 to 1903. It had operations in Iowa and in Minnesota. It was succeeded by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway.At least three of its stations apparently survive:...
line. At Nichols, Iowa 70 intersects Iowa Highway 22 and the two highways overlap
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
for 3 miles (4.8 km). From the split with Iowa 22, Iowa 70 heads north towards West Liberty
West Liberty, Iowa
West Liberty is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,332 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. Iowa 70 ends at an intersection with U.S. Route 6 in West Liberty.
History
Iowa Highway 70 was created in 1969. It replaced the former Iowa Highway 76 as that number was reassigned to a highwayIowa Highway 76
Iowa Highway 76 is a state highway located in northeastern Iowa, most of which is in Allamakee County. The long highway connects McGregor to Eitzen, Minnesota via Waukon. It begins in McGregor at an intersection with U.S. Route 18; the first of the route are signed as U.S. Route 18 Business...
in northeastern Iowa. The original route ran from Columbus City
Columbus City, Iowa
Columbus City is a city in Louisa County, Iowa, United States. The population was 376 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Columbus City is located at ....
to West Liberty
West Liberty, Iowa
West Liberty is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,332 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. In the mid-1990s, a short bypass was built around Columbus Junction
Columbus Junction, Iowa
Columbus Junction is a city in Louisa County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,900 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. Iowa 70 traffic was rerouted onto the bypass where it ends today. The old segment stayed remained in the primary highway system until July 1, 2003, when it was turned over to Louisa County
Louisa County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,387 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,002 housing units, of which 4,346 were occupied.-2000 census:...
.