NORTH
Old NORTH End (ca. 1953-September 23, 1981): Stoplight, US 30/218/16th Ave. SW and US 151/Williams Blvd., Cedar Rapids, Linn County
Facing northeast, but heading north, on 149, now Business 151
Photo by Jason Hancock
Jason Hancock writes that this was the end of 149 before 1981, so it just ducks under the cutoff here. (It's also on the 1981 map.) This was also the south end of US 151 at the time. Today Williams Boulevard (formerly 149 and 151) is all Business 151. Those 30/151/218 signs are for a "Fog Detour" (since changed to an "Emergency Detour") through Cedar Rapids. Old maps indicate that 149 was extended northward to meet US 30 in 1930, but at that time met it west of Cedar Rapids on 80th Street, 3 miles east of the county line, until realignment in 1934. For about 30 years IA 64 came in with 30/218 on the left and left going straight ahead with US 151.
Old NORTH End (September 23, 1981-September 19, 1985): Interchange, US 30/151/218, Cedar Rapids, Linn County
Facing northeast, but heading north, on 149, now 151
Photo by Jason Hancock
The "End" sign was probably posted between here and the LGS. For those four years this was also the south end of US 151 (again).
...at least according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Special Committee on Route Numbering, which is in charge of approving changes to US routes, did not acknowledge the extension of 151 past this point until 1996. The reason for the delay is unknown (though I have a strong urge to make a bureaucracy and/or traffic joke).
Facing northeast, but heading north, on 149, now 151
Facing north
Photo by Jason Hancock
Which direction did you want to go again? Turn right to head east, north and south; turn left across the bridge to head west and north. As fun as this sign is, it's missing an "East 30 ->", and that would've put all four directions on this assembly. (This is also the south end of Business 151/IA 922.)
Facing southwest, but heading south, on 151, now Business 151
Although this sign is approached traveling south, when 149 ended here it could have also substituted for Jason's photo second from top.
Facing southwest, but heading south, on 151, now Business 151
Between fall 1981 and fall 1985, "South 151" would be "South 149" and "End Business 151" would be "End 151."
NORTH End: I-80 exit 220 and V77, Williamsburg, Iowa County
Facing north on 149
This multicolored LGS is just north of main Williamsburg - that is, the part of town that's not a byproduct of the outlet mall.
Facing north on 149
The Tanger Outlet Mall is visible on the other side of I-80. Before 1985, when 149 went to Cedar Rapids (ending at the new 30/218 interchange from 1981-85), it continued north of here to US 6 east of Marengo, duplexing with 6 south of the Amana Colonies.
Closeup of LGS in above picture
Facing south on V77
Facing south on V77
Facing south on V77
The restaurant seen in the background here and the gas station are closed.
Facing south on V77 becoming 149
On this side of the freeway, it's a county road. This small piece of four-lane continues north of the interchange a bit, to serve traffic for the Tanger Outlet Mall. Behind this photograph are two stoplights.
Facing south on 149
Yes, that is a hay baler going down a four-lane road. Don't you just love Iowa?
Facing east on 80 (2006)
Facing east on 80 (2008)
Surrounding area information: Old 149/6 junction
Facing north on V77 (old 149), 6 miles north of interchange
This mileage sign is DOT style, which means it's more than 20 years old; shows four destinations, which is a rare sight and even rarer since there's no "straight ahead" location; and shows how equidistant Iowa City and Cedar Rapids' downtowns are from this location.
Pictures by Jason Hancock: First, January 2002; second and fourth, May 2002
Pictures by me: Fifth and sixth, 11/28/03; seventh-12th, 14th, and 18th, 7/8/05; 13th, 2/1/02; third and 15th-16th, 4/18/06; 17th, 11/26/08
Page created 3/3/02; split 11/6/05; last updated 1/15/09
