The Federal Highway Administration has cleared the way for construction of a diamond interchange at Interstate Highway 35/80 and 100th Street in Urbandale. The decision clears a major hurdle as the city prepares for a much larger project that includes a half-diamond interchange at Meredith Drive and improved access to Iowa Highway 141. City Manager A.J. Johnson said the city was notified today that federal transportation officials had approved the Interchange Justification Report for the interchange at 100th Street. The city financing the up to $22 million 100th Street project, including a range of improvements to the the roadway itself, replacing the 100th Street bridge and building the access ramps. Final approval for Meredith and Highway 141 projects are pending. “This announcement is the culmination of years of work with many partners and provides even more access for businesses and developers seeking to invest and create jobs in our community,” Mayor Robert Andeweg said in a news release. The interchange is key to the development of business parks in the area of northwest Urbandale, and will provide access to more than 700 acres of development land.