It’s been a long time coming — 16 years. But, today, the four-lane highway between Des Moines and Burlington is open! First proposed in the late 1980s, many Ottumwans thought we’d have the total four-lane up and running by the end of the 1990s.

Didn’t happen. Eminent domain was an issue as the government spent months buying the land necessary to put new highways in place. Then, financial concerns arose and southern Iowa had to wait until the funds came in.

The bypass around Eddyville, for instance, was delayed a couple of years when a rare form of sand turtle was found in the dunes where the highway was to go. Another location was finally agreed on.

Then, a couple of cities were undecided where the bypass would go, and it seems Fairfield was the last to make that decision. But, it wasn’t the only one. It took awhile to get the bypass south of Danville, too.

Ottumwans appreciated the first part of the project getting done. A few years ago we could drive to Des Moines, four-lane all the way.

This morning, dignitaries and others plan to gather to open up the last remaining link — the Fairfield bypass.

By noon, all traffic should be able to go back and forth between Des Moines and Burlington, all on the four-lane highway.

Work began on the 165-mile corridor back in August of 1992, and today’s opening will officially end the project. Total cost — $476 million.

We appreciate the efforts many have put in all these years to get this major roadway accomplished. Sometimes you have to keep pushing and pushing to get something done.

Ottumwa’s bypass was done a year ago, and we’re happy to know the whole project is now completed.

It’s also time to get some development started near the Ottumwa bypass to get travelers to stop and check out all we have to offer. As we stated before, signs will help draw the drivers in to town. Let’s get it done.

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And speaking of streets, we found a rarity in the Courier poll question on our Web site — ottumwa.com.